BRING IT ON et al. Garner Atlanta's 2011 Suzi Award Nominations

The Suzi Bass Awards, Inc. announced nominations for the 2010-2011 Atlanta professional theatrical season this evening to an enthusiastic crowd of patrons and theatre industry artists. The Suzi Nomination Party, which rotates venues, was hosted this year by Fabrefaction Theatre, one of the newest participating theatres in the Suzi ranks. The spacious lobby allowed guests to enjoy drinks, hors d'ouevres and the chance to congratulate their colleagues. Guest announcers Betty Hart, Suehyla El-Attar, and Anthony Rodriquez joined Suzi Awards Executive Director Deadra Moore in sharing the list of Nominees while playfully riffing on the 2010/2011 Atlanta theatre season.

Nationally-recognized artists working in Atlanta were among this year's nominees. 2008 Tony Winner Andy Blankenbuehler's production of Bring It On: the Musical pulled in eight (8) nominations for the ALLIANCE THEATRE, including Production-Musical and World Premiere, as the show prepares to head out on its national tour leading to a Broadway engagement. Tony Nominee Debbie Allen received a nod for her choreography of Twist, the Atlanta incarnation of a new musical version of Dickens' Oliver Twist. Two-time Tony winner Judith Ivey's directing nomination was one of six (6) for the ALLIANCE THEATRE's production of the Kendeda Playwriting Competition-winning, Carapace, including Production-Play and World Premiere.

Atlanta resident artists fared well in all categories. Leslie Bellair received three acting nominations for her work in three different shows. Jeff McKerley received two acting nods for two productions and was nominated again this season for his choreography of the Atlanta Lyric Theatre's production of The Mikado. Scenic Designers Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay and Sound Designer Thom Jenkins also garnered three nominations each, for different productions.

Although the ALLIANCE THEATRE lead the nomination tally race with a total of thirty (30), Atlanta Lyric Theatre received twenty-one (21) in the Music Theatre categories and Horizon Theatre pulled in nineteen (19) total nominations. Aurora Theatre received sixteen (16) nominations across the play, musical, and design categories. Even with large groups of nominations going to the above, a wide distribution of Atlanta area theatres were recognized, with nominations also going to Actor's Express, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Georgia Shakespeare, Theatre in the Square, Theatrical Outfit, Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre and Serenbe Playhouse.

Deadra Moore, Executive Director of The Suzi Awards, Inc. recognized the internationally acclaimed Center for Puppetry Arts as the recipient of the 2011 Spirit of Suzi Award. The Center for Puppetry Arts reaches more than 500,000 people annually through live performances, Distance Learning, Create-A-Puppet Workshops and other educational programs, off-site exhibits around Atlanta, and the Museum's Permanent Collection and special exhibits. The recipient of the Spirit of Suzi Award is always a person or organization that best demonstrates the qualities of Suzi Bass herself, including a dedication to professionalism and to Atlanta as cultural destination with a thriving theatre community. Past recipients have included nationally-recognized director Kenny Leon, Atlanta actress and AEA Liaison Karen Howell, Kim Patrick Bitz, Jerry's Habima Theatre, teacher and actress Carol Mitchell leon and award-winning local director Rosemary Newcott.
The Final Ballot voting for the Suzi Awards begins this week and culminates in the presentation of Suzi star statues at the 7th Annual Suzi Awards Ceremony on Monday, November 7, 2011 at the Conant Center of Oglethorpe University. Again this season, Members of the Suzi Awards may also vote the final ballot, and the results of Member voting will be tallied in as a percentage of the panel judge votes. The Suzi Awards, Inc. is a member non-profit organization, and anyone may join by paying annual dues of $25. In addition to the Suzi Performance Awards, the organization presents the Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award to an Atlanta playwright, the Spirit of Suzi Award, the Volunteer of the Year Award, and the publicly-voted Audience Choice Award for Outstanding Season.

For further information on the awards process, becoming a Member of the Suzi Bass Awards, or taking business or congratulation ads in the Awards Event Program, please go to www.SuziAwards.org or email info@suziawards.org.

2010 - 2011 Suzi Awards Nominees

Production Play
August: Osage County ALLIANCE THEATRE
Carapace ALLIANCE THEATRE
Superior Donuts Horizon Theatre
The Little Foxes Theatre in the Square
The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years ALLIANCE THEATRE

Director Play
FrEd Chappell The Little Foxes Theatre in the Square
Freddie Ashley Becky Shaw Actor's Express
Jeff Adler Superior Donuts Horizon Theatre
Judith Ivey Carapace ALLIANCE THEATRE
Susan V. Booth August: Osage County ALLIANCE THEATRE

Lead Actress Play
Bethany Anne Lind Carapace ALLIANCE THEATRE
Brenda Bynum August: Osage County ALLIANCE THEATRE
Jessica Phelps West The Little Foxes Theatre in the Square
Tess Malis Kincaid August: Osage County ALLIANCE THEATRE
Veronika Duerr Becky Shaw Actor's Express

Lead Actor Play
Afemo Omilami Broke-ology Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Co.
Andrew Benator Becky Shaw Actor's Express
David de Vries Carapace ALLIANCE THEATRE
Eric J. Little Superior Donuts Horizon Theatre
Tom Key The Young Man From Atlanta Theatrical Outfit

Featured Actress Play
Andrea Frye The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years ALLIANCE THEATRE
Carolyn Cook August: Osage County ALLIANCE THEATRE
Carolyn Cook Noises Off Georgia Shakespeare
Mary Lynn Owen The Little Foxes Theatre in the Square
Nita Hardy Superior Donuts Horizon Theatre

Featured Actor Play
Christopher Corporandy The Judas Kiss Actor's Express
Eric J. Little Broke-ology Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Co.
Jimi Kocina Fat Pig Aurora Theatre
Neal A. Ghant The Tempest Georgia Shakespeare
Richard Garner August: Osage County ALLIANCE THEATRE
Ensemble Play
Broadsword Actor's Express
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Aurora Theatre
Over the River and Through the Woods Aurora Theatre
Stealing Dixie Theatre in the Square
The Colored Museum Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Co.

Costume Design Play
Alan Yeong The Little Foxes Theatre in the Square
Elizabeth Rasmusson Red, White and Tuna Theatre in the Square
Leslie Taylor The Tempest Georgia Shakespeare
Linda Patterson Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Aurora Theatre
Susan E. Mickey The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years ALLIANCE THEATRE

Lighting Design Play
James M. Helms The Circumference of a Squirrel Aurora Theatre
John Ambrosone Carapace ALLIANCE THEATRE
Ken Yunker August: Osage County ALLIANCE THEATRE
Mike Post The Odyssey: A Journey Home Georgia Shakespeare
Rob Dillard Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Aurora Theatre

Scenic Design Play
Dale Brubaker Stealing Dixie Theatre in the Square
Elaine Williams The Little Foxes Theatre in the Square
Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay Superior Donuts Horizon Theatre
Kat Conley The Odyssey: A Journey Home Georgia Shakespeare
Leslie Taylor August: Osage County ALLIANCE THEATRE

Sound Design Play
Bobby Johnston The Colored Museum Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Co.
Clay Benning The Odyssey: A Journey Home Georgia Shakespeare
Thom Jenkins Stealing Dixie Theatre in the Square
Thom Jenkins Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Aurora Theatre
Thom Jenkins The 39 Steps Theatre in the Square

Musical Production
Avenue Q Horizon Theatre
Bring It On: The Musical ALLIANCE THEATRE
Gut Bucket Blues Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company
Rent Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Singin' in the Rain Aurora Theatre

Director Musical

Alan Kilpatrick Rent Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Andy Blankenbuehler Bring It On: The Musical ALLIANCE THEATRE
David H. Bell Gut Bucket Blues Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Co.
Heidi Cline McKerley Avenue Q Horizon Theatre
Heidi Cline McKerley The Mikado Atlanta Lyric Theatre

Lead Actress Musical
Adrienne Reynolds Gut Bucket Blues Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Co.
Caitlin Smith Leader of the Pack Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Felicia Boswell Rent Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Leslie Bellair Singin' in the Rain Aurora Theatre
Mary Nye Bennett Avenue Q Horizon Theatre

Lead Actor Musical
Jeff McKerley The Mikado Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Justin Tanner Singin' in the Rain Aurora Theatre
Maxim Gukhman Rent Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Nick Arapoglou Avenue Q Horizon Theatre
Stanley Allyn Owen Rent Atlanta Lyric Theatre

Featured Actress Musical
Amber Iman Gut Bucket Blues Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Co.
Ingrid Cole The Music Man Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Jill Hames Avenue Q Horizon Theatre
Leslie Bellair Avenue Q Horizon Theatre
Ryann Redmond Bring It On: The Musical ALLIANCE THEATRE

Featured Actor Musical
Adam Carl Peyton Rent Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Glenn Rainey The Music Man Atlanta Lyric Theatre
J.C. Long Avenue Q Horizon Theatre
Jeff McKerley Avenue Q Horizon Theatre
Jeremy Wood Singin' in the Rain Aurora Theatre

Ensemble Musical
Forbidden Broadway:Greatest Hits Vol. 1 Georgia Ensemble Theatre
Ordinary Days Serenbe Playhouse
See What I Wanna See Actor's Express
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Georgia Ensemble Theatre
Travelin' Black Theatrical Outfit

Music Direction
Ann-Carol Pence Singin' in the Rain Aurora Theatre
B.J. Brown 42nd Street Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Jmichael Gut Bucket Blues Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Co.
S. Renee Clark Avenue Q Horizon Theatre
Wesley Morgan Rent Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler Bring It On: The Musical ALLIANCE THEATRE
Debbie Allen Twist ALLIANCE THEATRE
Jeff McKerley The Mikado Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Jen MacQueen Singin' in the Rain Aurora Theatre
Karen Hebert 42nd Street Atlanta Lyric Theatre

Costume Design Musical
Andrea Lauer Bring It On:The Musical ALLIANCE THEATRE
Anna Jenny Avenue Q Horizon Theatre
Emilio Sosa Twist ALLIANCE THEATRE
Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay The Mikado Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Lindsey G. Paris & Clint Horne Leader of the Pack Atlanta Lyric Theatre

Lighting Design Musical
Bradley Bergeron Rent Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Jason Lyons Bring It On: The Musical ALLIANCE THEATRE
Mary Parker Avenue Q Horizon Theatre
Rick Belzer Twist ALLIANCE THEATRE
Thom Beaulieu Singin' in the Rain Aurora Theatre

Scenic Design Musical
Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay Avenue Q Horizon Theatre
Seamus M. Bourne Singin' in the Rain Aurora Theatre
Thane Molnar Rent Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Todd Rosenthal Twist ALLIANCE THEATRE
Tommy Cox The Mikado Atlanta Lyric Theatre

Sound Design Musical
Bobby Johnston Rent Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Brian Ronan Bring It On: The Musical ALLIANCE THEATRE
Daniel Terry Singin' in the Rain Aurora Theatre
Kay Richardson Gut Bucket Blues Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Co.
Keith Allen Bergeron Avenue Q Horizon Theatre

World Premiere
Bring It On: The Musical Music by Lin-Manuel Miranda & Tom Kitt
Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda & Amanda Green
Libretto by Jeff Whitty ALLIANCE THEATRE
Carapace by David Mitchell Robinson ALLIANCE THEATRE
Gut Bucket Blues by David H. Bell Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Co.
Night Blooms by Margaret Baldwin Horizon Theatre
The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years by Pearl Cleage ALLIANCE THEATRE

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.