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Atlanta, GA - November 10, 2009: The Suzi Bass Awards proudly hosted their fifth annual celebration last night from the stage and veranda of the beautiful and spacious Conant Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Oglethorpe University, home of Georgia Shakespeare. The audience of patrons, Nominees, theatre staff and artists enjoyed exciting performances from each of the Production – Musical Nominees. After the ceremony the entire audience gathered on the veranda for a high energy reception to congratulate all the Nominees and Recipients. Awards in 20 categories were presented. Theatrical Outfit’s Big River took home the Suzi for Outstanding Production – Musical as well as kudos for Featured Actor Tom Key and Music Director S. Renee Clark. Ms. Clark shared her award in the only tie of the evening with Michael Mitchell, Music Director for the Alliance Theatre’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel. Mr. Mitchell’s parents accepted in his stead, after travelling to Atlanta from St. Louis, MS. Outstanding Production – Play went to Theatre in the Square’s production of A Man for All Seasons. The play also picked up honors for Lead Actor John Ammerman. Theatre in the Square’s Tradin’ Paint garnered Suzis in Director - Play for Jessica Phelps West and Lead Actress – Play for Veronika Duerr. Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre snagged both of the Ensemble categories: Black Nativity’s cast received the Ensemble – Musical award, and the cast of the sold-out for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf took home the Ensemble – Play award. The cast of for colored girls . . . included well-known film and television actors Crystal Fox, Robin Givens, and Nicole Ari Parker; Jasmine Guy directed the production. The Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award, given to Atlanta playwrights whose work was produced during the season, was presented to Janece Shaffer. Alliance Theatre included her play, Managing Maxine, as part of their 2008-2009 season. Atlanta Lyric Theatre picked up the new Audience Choice Award for Outstanding Season. Patrons from all Atlanta theatres had the opportunity to vote for their favorites by donating a dollar per vote to the Suzi Bass Awards. The Audience Choice Award serves as a fun and innovative fundraiser for the Suzi Bass Awards. A complete list of Nominees and Recipients (asterisk and bold) follows:
2008 - 2009 Suzi Awards Nominees & Recipients
Production - Play Mauritius Actor’s Express Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Georgia Shakespeare A Cool Drink a Water Horizon Theatre *A Man for All Seasons Theatre in the Square Miss Evers’ Boys Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre
Director - Play Freddie Ashley Mauritius Actor's Express Jill Jane Clements A Lesson Before Dying Theatrical Outfit Kenny Leon Miss Evers’ Boys Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Jasson Minadakis Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Georgia Shakespeare *Jessica Phelps West Tradin’ Paint Theatre in the Square
Lead Actress - Play *Veronika Duerr Tradin’ Paint Theatre in the Square Jasmine Guy Miss Evers’ Boys Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Karen Howell Tea at Five ART Station Tonia M. Jackson And Her Hair Went with Her Horizon Theatre Cara Mantella Mauritius Actor’s Express Maria Sager Speech & Debate Theatre in the Square
Lead Actor - Play *John Ammerman A Man for All Seasons Theatre in the Square Thomas W. Jones, II A Cool Drink A Water Horizon Theatre Chris Kayser Mauritius Actor’s Express Chris Kayser A Midsummer Night’s Dream Georgia Shakespeare Kenny Leon Blood Knot Theatrical Outfit & Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Eric J. Little A Lesson Before Dying Theatrical Outfit E. Roger Mitchell Gem of the Ocean Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre & Alliance Theatre
Featured Actress - Play *Donna Biscoe A Cool Drink A Water Horizon Theatre Kate Donadio Tradin’ Paint Theatre in the Square Tonia M. Jackson Gem of the Ocean Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre & Alliance Theatre Megan McFarland Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Georgia Shakespeare Kathleen Wattis Mauritius Actor’s Express
Featured Actor - Play Richard Garner Mauritius Actor’s Express Neal A. Ghant Tradin’ Paint Theatre in the Square Eric J. Little Miss Evers’ Boys Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre *Tim McDonough Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Georgia Shakespeare E. Roger Mitchell Miss Evers’ Boys Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre
Ensemble - Play End Days Horizon Theatre Doctor Faustus The New American Shakespeare Tavern 1:23 Synchronicity Performance Group *for colored girls who have Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf Directed by Jasmine Guy and featuring: Danielle Deadwyler, Crystal Fox, Robin Givens, Yakini Horn, Omelika Kuumba, Nicole Ari Parker, Nevaina Rhodes,
Production - Musical Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL Alliance Theatre Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Atlanta Lyric Theatre Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story Georgia Ensemble Theatre *Big River Theatrical Outfit Black Nativity Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre
Director - Musical *Susan V. Booth Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL Alliance Theatre Heidi Cline Big River Theatrical Outfit Robert J. Farley Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story Georgia Ensemble Theatre Patdro Harris Black Nativity Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Robert S. Wayne The Pirates of Penzance Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Lead Actress - Musical *Stephanie Dorfman Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Atlanta Lyric Theatre Nicole Long Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL Alliance Theatre Claci Miller Cabaret Atlanta Lyric Theatre Naima Carter Russell Antigone Georgia Shakespeare Cynthia Watters The Pirates of Penzance Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Lead Actor - Musical *Rob Lawhon Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story Georgia Ensemble Theatre Dustin Lewis jon & jen Legacy Theatre Eric Moore Big River Theatrical Outfit Brandon O’Dell Big River Theatrical Outfit Darryl Jovan Williams Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL Alliance Theatre
Featured Actress - Musical Jill Hames Cabaret Atlanta Lyric Theatre Bethany Irby Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story Georgia Ensemble Theatre Marcie Millard The It Girl Atlanta Lyric Theatre *Jackie Prucha Cabaret Atlanta Lyric Theatre Mary Welch Rogers Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Featured Actor - Musical Ricardo Aponte Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story Georgia Ensemble Theatre Bradley Bergeron Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Atlanta Lyric Theatre *Tom Key Big River Theatrical Outfit Jeff McKerley Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Atlanta Lyric Theatre Eugene H. Russell, IV Antigone Georgia Shakespeare
Ensemble - Musical Smokey Joe’s Café Atlanta Lyric Theatre Once on This Island Aurora Theatre High School Musical 2 Legacy Theatre Black Nativity Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Directed by Patdro Harris and featuring: Elijah Avraham, Cynthia Baker, Brian Binion, DeMille Cole-Heard, Sam Collier, Keemar Davis, Reginald Degratfenreaidt, Jordan Ealey, Desmond Ellington, Andrea Gooden, Ariana Groover, Amber Iman, Victor M. Jackson, Brandin Jenkins, Jelani Jones, Shay Latte, Jordan Minter, Marcus Morris, Ronve O'Daniel, Chelsea Reynolds, Ronndell Smith, Galen Williams, Kelly Young, Camilla Zaepfel
Music Direction - TIE Brandt Blocker Disney’s Beauty and The Beast Atlanta Lyric Theatre *S. Renee Clark Big River Theatrical Outfit Michael Fauss Smokey Joe’s Café Atlanta Lyric Theatre *Michael Mitchell Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL Alliance Theatre Robert S. Wayne The Pirates of Penzance Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Choreography Hope Clarke Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL Alliance Theatre *Patdro Harris Black Nativity Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Jen MacQueen & Elizabeth Neidel Smokey Joe’s Café Atlanta Lyric Theatre Jeff McKerley The Pirates of Penzance Atlanta Lyric Theatre Cindy Mora Cabaret Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Costume Design *Shilla Benning Black Nativity Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Jeannie Crawford A Man for All Seasons Theatre in the Square Clint Horne The Pirates of Penzance Atlanta Lyric Theatre Sydney Roberts A Midsummer Night’s Dream Georgia Shakespeare Paul Tazewell Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL Alliance Theatre
Lighting Design André C. Allen And Her Hair Went With Her Horizon Theatre Jessica Coale 1:23 Synchronicity Performance Group *Jessica Coale Once on This Island Aurora Theatre Mike Post Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Georgia Shakespeare Robert Wierzel Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL Alliance Theatre
Scenic Design Rochelle Barker 1:23 Synchronicity Performance Group Kat Conley Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Georgia Shakespeare Kat Conley 26 Miles Alliance Theatre *Kat Conley Titus Andronicus Georgia Shakespeare Tom Lee A Midsummer Night’s Dream Georgia Shakespeare Lee Savage Smart Cookie Alliance Theatre
Sound Design *Clay Benning & Klimchak Titus Andronicus Georgia Shakespeare Clay Benning Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Georgia Shakespeare Mimi Epstein And Her Hair Went With Her Horizon Theatre Klimchak A Midsummer Night’s Dream Georgia Shakespeare Brian Patterson Tradin’ Paint Theatre in the Square
RECIPIENT BREAKDOWN by THEATRE:
Alliance Theatre Director – Musical: Susan V. Booth, Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL Music Direction – Michael Mitchell, Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL
Aurora Theatre Lighting Design: Jessica Coale, Once on This Island
Atlanta Lyric Theatre Lead Actress – Musical: Stephanie Dorfman, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Featured Actress – Musical: Jackie Prucha, Cabaret
Georgia Ensemble Theatre Lead Actor – Musical: Rob Lawhon, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
Georgia Shakespeare Featured Actor – Play: Tim McDonough, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Scenic Design: Kat Conley, Titus Andronicus Sound Design: Clay Benning and Klimchak, Titus Andronicus
Horizon Theatre Featured Actress – Play: Donna Biscoe, A Cool Drink A Water
Theatrical Outfit Production – Musical: Big River Featured Actor – Musical: Tom Key, Big River Music Direction – S. Renee Clark, Big River
Theatre in the Square Production – Play: A Man for All Seasons Director – Play: Jessica Phelps West, Tradin’ Paint Lead Actress – Play: Veronika Duerr, Tradin’ Paint Lead Actor – Play: John Ammerman, A Man for All Seasons
Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Ensemble – Play: for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf Ensemble – Musical: Black Nativity Choreography – Patdro Harris, Black Nativity Costume Design – Shilla Benning, Black Nativity |
The Suzi Bass Awards |
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Celebrating Atlanta's Professional Theatre |
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Press Release |
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Locals honored Monday night, November 9, 2009 in grand fashion. |
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The Suzi Bass Awards, Inc. A 501(c)(3) Georgia corporation P.O. Box 550468, Atlanta Georgia 30355 Tel: 404-630-3872 Office Hours: M, W, F 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM © 2007—2009 The Suzi Bass Awards |
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Funding for The Suzi Bass Awards is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council |
