I cover a lot of plays during the course of a year.

In fact, there have been weeks when I've attended a play or performance every night for review in my daily column.

My stage coverage prompted the following e-mail from faithful readers Jerry and Eileen Fromm, of Munster.

"Good morning Phil: We enjoy your column very much, especially all of the attention about show business. We have one complaint, however. You never mention the Jeff Awards. Our grandson Max Quinlan, upon whom you heaped praise in a column about 'Light in the Piazza' won the Jeff Award last month for 'Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Musical.' We're still friends, Sincerely, Eileen and Jerry Fromm"

Thank you for your e-mail.

I definitely remember Max and his performance in "Light in the Piazza" at the Marriott Lincohnshire Theatre and the review I included in my column last July mentioning your grandson's talent. He was also deservedly in the spotlight for that stage venue's previous show, when he was the lead in "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat." He's usually a standout, even in the ensemble, where he is currently featured in "Hairspray," now running at Marriott Lincolnshire. My congratulations for his Jeff Award.

As for my neglect of mentioning the Jeff Awards, given by the Joseph Jefferson Committee for Theatrical Excellence, the awards are certainly impressive and serve as Chicago area's equivalent of the Tony Awards. For some reason, I'm not on the regular mailing list for receiving press releases and announcements from this organization, although I know many of the members. Fortunately, with the help of my columnist colleagues like Molly Woulfe, Eloise Valadez and Carol Moore, we usually manage to get at least a mention of these award results, even if we don't get to list every award and recipient. Thank you for the heads up and I'll certainly make an effort to offer a more watchful eye. Nominations are announced in September and the winners are named at the annual October ceremony.

Holiday tree lighting

It was announced last week that Grammy Award winner and former Destiny's Child member-turned- Broadway actress, Michelle Williams would be this year's notable joining Macy's Chairman, President/CEO, Terry Lundgren, this weekend to light Macy's Great Tree, a tradition celebrating its 102 year in 2009. The tree lighting took place Saturday, the same day all of the Macy's Department Store windows along State Street were also officially unveiled. This year's theme is "A Letter's Journey to Santa Claus" and this display is the 42nd annual collection of animated holiday windows, telling a magical tale revealing how letters written by children all over the world make their way to the North Pole. As for the historic Great Tree, it features more than 10,000 sparkling lights and 1,200 ornaments and stands 45-feet tall. It will remain on display until Jan. 10, 2010.

Last year's celebrity guest to light the tree was fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, and in 2007, it was Martha Stewart. Other previous and recent luminaries given this annual honor have included Billy Crystal, Caroline Kennedy and fashion designer Vera Wang.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327.

Today's Celebrity Birthdays

Actress June Havoc (Baby June from "Gypsy") is 97. Actor Norman Lloyd ("St. Elsewhere") is 95. Singer Patti Page is 82. CBS newsman Morley Safer is 78. Singer Bonnie Bramlett is 65. Singer Roy Wood of Electric Light Orchestra is 63. Singer Bonnie Raitt is 60. "Entertainment Tonight" host Mary Hart and actress Jayne Marie Mansfield are 59. Former Playboy CEO Christie Hefner and actress Alfre Woodard are 57. Singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones is 55. Singer-actor Leif Garrett is 48. Skateboard great Steve Caballero is 45. Actress Courtney Thorne-Smith ("According to Jim," "Ally McBeal") is 42. Actress Parker Posey is 41. Actress Roxana Zal ("Something About Amelia") is 40. Singer Diana King is 39. Actress Gretchen Mol is 36. Actor Matthew Rhys ("Brothers and Sisters") is 35. Actress Tara Reid ("American Pie") is 34. Singer Bucky Covington ("American Idol") is 32. Actress Dania Ramirez is 30. Actress Quinn Culkin ("The Good Son") is 25. TV personality Jack Osbourne ("The Osbournes") is 24. Actress Jessica Lowndes ("90210") is 21.