Firstly, thank you for all the messages and mentions on twitter over the past week, as well as all the emails much appreciated.   Still going through them, but wanted to update the main site beforehand.

The big news of the past week is that Billy won the Jeff Award for his performance in Blackbird this past summer.   The Award for Actor in a Principal Role was a tie as below:

ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE – PLAY (Tie)
William L. Petersen – “Blackbird” – Victory Gardens Theater
Larry Neumann, Jr. – “A Moon for the Misbegotten” – First Folio Theatre

It does not appear that Billy was there to accept the Award personally.   For more information about the Jeff Awards and the winners, information can be found on the following links:

• Jeff Awards Official Site
• Variety
• Theater Mania

In other news, in a recent interview with Anthony Zuiker, he was asked the question if Billy is returning to CSI and his response was:

JAM!: With Jorja Fox back on ‘CSI’ indefinitely, one last question: Will Grissom return this season?

Zuiker: We’re trying to get Billy [William Petersen] back. It’s really up in the air right now. He’s sorely missed and I’d love to have him back. Nothing would please me more to get Billy back.

You can read the full interview here.

Our VGT Fundraiser is still going strong and we as well as Victory Gardens appreciate all the donations received, especially in this time where everyone is really holding on to their money.   As a reminder our Fundraiser ends November 27th.  In other fundraiser news please check out our friends at both Margamania and Jorja Fox : Online & Jorja All Around who are also raising money for some great causes.

The last batch of Fan Reviews for Blackbird have now been uploaded.   Once again, thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences with us and we look forward to sharing fan reviews for Endgame next year.

Both Billy and Mattie Hawkinson have been nominated for their roles in Blackbird for the upcoming Jeff Awards.

The Jeff Awards are focused on honoring excellence in professional theater in the Chicago area.

From Theatermania: Mary Beth Fisher, William Petersen, Robert Sella, Ruined, et al. Receive Jeff Nominations.

The Awards take place on October 19th.

For more information regarding the awards please visit the official site of the Jeff Awards.

The last lot of prizes for our Victory Gardens have arrived, so we hope to be on schedule to start the fundraiser September 1st.

First off, many thanks to everyone who emailed us the link and thank you to Lanos at YTDAW for posting the original link.

June 1st – William Petersen was presented with the 2008-09 Sarah Siddons Award as Chicago’s Actor for All Seasons with a standing ovation and glowing tribute from his presenter (Dennis Zacek).

For photos and more information about the event please visit the Sarah Siddons Society website by clicking on this link.

We have uploaded several photos from the Digital Emmy Awards last night to The Gallery.

The MIP Blog also has an exclusive interview with Billy, which you can read by clicking the link below:

CSI Star Petersen finds time for Cannes : Exclusive Interview

Many thanks to Sarah for passing this link along.

The Red Carpet Concierge of Chicago Website has a small photo of Billy from December 1st when he received the Larry Sloan 2008 Heritage Award.

William Peterson, (third from left) Golden Globe and Emmy nominated star of televison’s CSI, smiles for the camera surrounded by his illustrious peers and friends before he accepted the 2008 Larry Sloan Heritage Award at the Smart Museum, Chicago, on World Aids Day, December 1, 2008.

Actors Equity Association won the Partnership Award accepted by Ms.Kathryn Lamkey, (fifth from left).

Copyright Steve Starr

ETA : A larger version has been added to The Gallery.