2018 Suzi Bass Award Nominations Announced

The Suzi Bass Awards revealed nominations for the 2017-2018 Atlanta professional theatre season on Monday evening, August 27, to patrons and industry artists. The Suzi Nomination Party was generously hosted by Synchronicity Theatre, at 7:30pm, One Peachtree Pointe, 1545 Peachtree St. NE #102, Atlanta.

The nominations were announced by members of the Suzi judging panels.

The 14th Annual Suzi Bass Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, November 5, 2018, at the Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University. Members of the media are invited to cover the event. Release with details and media invitation forthcoming. Tickets to the general public will be on sale soon. The evening includes awards, performances, and a reception with nibbles and a cash bar.

NOMINEES BY THE NUMBERS

Aurora Theatre, producing on two stages, led the Suzi nomination tally with thirty-one (31) nominations. Theatrical Outfit took second place with twenty-seven (27) nominations. Actor's Express ranks third with twenty-two (22) nominations, the ALLIANCE THEATRE takes fourth with nineteen (19) nominations, and Horizon Theatre takes fifth with sixteen (16) nominations. As for the productions with the highest number of nominations, they are: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a co-production of Aurora Theatre and Theatrical Outfit, with eleven (11); The Color Purple, at Actor's Express, also with eleven (11); Blackberry Daze, at Horizon Theatre with ten (10); Tarzan, at Atlanta Lyric Theatre, with seven (7); Mamma Mia!, at Aurora Theatre, with seven (7); and Cabaret, at Serenbe Playhouse, with seven (7).

Many area theatres were recognized with nominations, in addition to the above: Synchronicity Theatre (11); Atlanta Lyric Theatre (9); Serenbe Playhouse (8); Theatre du Reve (4); Georgia Ensemble Theatre (5); Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company (3); Center for Puppetry Arts (4); Atlanta Shakespeare Company (2); 7 Stages (2); the Legacy Theatre (2); ART Station (1).

A full list of categories and corresponding nominees is attached. Please note, any spelling errors or errors in the nominees list is the fault of this author, not the organization. Please feel free to send any corrections to jenny@kickstrategy.com.

ABOUT THE SUZI BASS AWARDS

The Suzi Bass Awards were founded in 2003 by Gene-Gabriel Moore and a small group of industry professionals to celebrate outstanding work in live theatre and the artists who produce it. This season, The Suzi Bass Awards volunteer judges chose nominees and recipients in thirty performance categories. In addition, the annual Spirit of Suzi Award honors a person or organization for their long-time dedication to Atlanta theatre; the Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award recognizes Atlanta's talented local playwrights through special notice of a recently produced play; the Audience Choice Award recognizes one theatre's entire season through voting by the general public; and the Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual or group with long-time volunteer contributions to a particular theatre.

THE NOMINEES

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION - MUSICAL

Blackberry Daze at Horizon Theatre

Cabaret at Serenbe Playhouse

Candide at the ALLIANCE THEATRE

The Color Purple at Actor's Express

The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Aurora Theatre/Theatrical Outfit

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION - MUSICAL

Justin Anderson for The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Aurora Theatre/Theatrical Outfit

Justin Anderson for Mamma Mia! at Aurora Theatre

Brian Clowdus for Cabaret at Serenbe Playhouse

David Koté for The Color Purple at Actor's Express

Thomas W. Jones II for Blackberry Daze at Horizon Theatre

OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION

S. Renee Clark for Blackberry Daze at Horizon Theatre

Ann-Carol Pence for Mamma Mia! at Aurora Theatre

Ann-Carol Pence for The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Aurora Theatre/Theatrical Outfit

Robert Spano for Candide at ALLIANCE THEATRE

Amanda Wansa Morgan for The Color Purple at Actor's Express

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY

Ricardo Aponte for The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Aurora Theatre/Theatrical Outfit

Ricardo Aponte for Mamma Mia! at Aurora Theatre

Bubba Carr for Cabaret at Serenbe Playhouse

Meredith Moore for The Color Purple at Actor's Express

Cindy Mora Reiser for Tarzan at Atlanta Lyric Theatre

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR/FEMALE - MUSICAL

Naomi Lavette* for Blackberry Daze at Horizon Theatre

Kristin Markiton for Mamma Mia! at Aurora Theatre

Latrice Pace for The Color Purple at Actor's Express

Ayanna Reed for Blackberry Daze at Horizon Theatre

Julissa Sabino* for The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Aurora Theatre/Theatrical Outfit

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR/MALE - MUSICAL

Aaron Blake* for Candide at The ALLIANCE THEATRE

Brian Clowdus for Cabaret at Serenbe Playhouse

Stanley Allyn Owen* for Tarzan at Atlanta Lyric Theatre

Haden Rider for The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Aurora Theatre/Theatrical Outfit

Juan Unzueta for Little Shop of Horrors at Actor's Express

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR/FEMALE - MUSICAL

Kandice Arrington for Little Shop of Horrors at Actor's Express

Deborah Bowman* for The Little Mermaid at Serenbe Playhouse

Christy Clark* for Blackberry Daze at Horizon Theatre

Kayce Grogan-Wallace for The Color Purple at Actor's Express

Jasmyn Hinson for The Color Purple at Actor's Express

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR/MALE - MUSICAL

Kevin Harry for The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Aurora Theatre/Theatrical Outfit

Lamont Hill for The Color Purple at Actor's Express

Christian Magby for Blackberry Daze at Horizon Theatre

Commodore Primous for Tarzan at Atlanta Lyric Theatre

Robert Wayne for Cabaret at Serenbe Playhouse

OUTSTANDING ACTING ENSEMBLE - MUSICAL

The cast of Always... Patsy Cline at Atlanta Lyric Theatre

(Laura Hodos and Karen Howell*)

The cast of Breath and Imagination at ART Station

(Theresa Hightower, Marcellis Cutler*, Patrick Hutchinson, Tony Hayes)

The cast of Million Dollar Quartet at Legacy Theatre

(Janine DeMichele Baggett, Daniel Black, Daniel Burns, Ross Griffin, Bert Groover, Stephen Hardy, Edward La Cardo, David Perry)

The cast of The Followers at 7 Stages

(Ofir Nahari, Lowery Brown, Diany Rodriguez*, Stephen DeVillers, Nicolette Emanuelle)

The cast of The World Goes 'Round at Atlanta Lyric Theatre

(Deborah Bowman*, Jeff McKerley*, Adrianna Trachell*, Brad Raymond*, Mary Nye Bennett, Chloe Cordle, Cansler McGhee, Brian Jordan, Grace Joo)

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN - MUSICAL

Nyrobi Moss for Blackberry Daze at Horizon Theatre

Nyrobi Moss for The Color Purple at Actor's Express

Erik Teague for Cabaret at Serenbe Playhouse

Amanda Edgerton West for Tarzan at Atlanta Lyric Theatre

Alan Yeong for The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Aurora Theatre/Theatrical Outfit

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN - MUSICAL

Andre C. Allen for The Color Purple at Actor's Express

Kevin Frazier for Cabaret at Serenbe Playhouse

Kevin Frazier for Mamma Mia! at Aurora Theatre

Maria Cristina Fuste for The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Aurora Theatre/Theatrical Outfit

Mary Parker for Tarzan at Atlanta Lyric Theatre

OUTSTANDING SCENIC DESIGN - MUSICAL

Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay for Little Shop of Horrors at Actor's Express

Isabel and Mariah Curley-Clay for Once on this Island at Georgia Ensemble Theatre

Daniel Pattillo for Tarzan at Atlanta Lyric Theatre

Julie Ray for Mamma Mia! at Aurora Theatre

Shannon Robert for The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Aurora Theatre/Theatrical Outfit

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN - MUSICAL

Rob Brooksher for Mamma Mia! at Aurora Theatre

Angela Bryant for The Color Purple at Actor's Express

Preston Goodson for Tarzan at Atlanta Lyric Theatre

Daniel Pope for The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Aurora Theatre/Theatrical Outfit

Mike Sal for Blackberry Daze at Horizon Theatre

OUTSTANDING PROJECTION DESIGN - MUSICAL

Robbie Hayes for Blackberry Daze at Horizon Theatre

Bobby Johnston for Holler If Ya Hear Me at True Colors Theatre Company

Bobby Johnston for The Ballad of Klook and Vinette at Horizon Theatre

Sven Ortel for Candide at the ALLIANCE THEATRE

OUTSTANDING WORLD PREMIERE

The Flower Room at Actor's Express

Hospice and Pointing at the Moon at The ALLIANCE THEATRE

Il Etait Une Fois (Once Upon A Time) at Theatre du Reve

Morningside at Georgia Ensemble Theatre

Sheltered at the ALLIANCE THEATRE

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION - PLAY

Abigail/1702 at Aurora Theatre

Angels in America at Actor's Express

Boy at Theatrical Outfit

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Theatrical Outfit

Perfect Arrangement at Theatrical Outfit

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION - PLAY

Jeff Adler, Jennifer Alice Acker, Lisa Adler for Citizens Market at Horizon Theatre

Freddie Ashley and Martin Wilkins for Angels in America at Actor's Express

Carolyn Cook* for Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Theatrical Outfit

Melissa Foulger for Boy at Theatrical Outfit

Leora Morris for Crossing Delancey at The ALLIANCE THEATRE

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR/FEMALE - PLAY

Terry Burrell* for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill at Theatrical Outfit

Taylor Dooley for Throw Me on the Burnpile and Light Me Up at Aurora Theatre

Mary Lynn Owen* for Crossing Delancey at The ALLIANCE THEATRE

Courtney Patterson* for Maytag Virgin at Aurora Theatre

Diany Rodriguez* for Abigail/1702 at Aurora Theatre

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR/MALE - PLAY

Andrew Benator* for Crossing Delancey at The ALLIANCE THEATRE

Brad Brinkley* for Maytag Virgin at Aurora Theatre

Clifton Guterman* for Boy at Theatrical Outfit

Lee Osorio* for The Life and Death of Richard the Second at Atlanta Shakespeare Company

Ben Thorpe* for Hand to God at The ALLIANCE THEATRE

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR/FEMALE - PLAY

Carolyn Cook* for Citizens Market at Horizon Theatre

Galen Crawley* for Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Theatrical Outfit

Sarah Newby Halicks for The Christians at Actor's Express

Tess Malis Kincaid* for Shakespeare in Love at The ALLIANCE THEATRE

Diany Rodriguez* for Between Riverside and Crazy at True Colors Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR/MALE - PLAY

Allen Edwards* for Citizens Market at Horizon Theatre

Tom Key* for Boy at Theatrical Outfit

Enoch King* for The Christians at Actor's Express

Lee Osorio* for Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Theatrical Outfit

Sam Younis* for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo at 7 Stages

OUTSTANDING ACTING ENSEMBLE - PLAY

The cast of Angels in America at Actor's Express

(Grant Chapman*, Joe Sykes*, Louis Gregory, Cara Mantella, Robert Bryan Davis, Thandiwe DeShazor, Carolyn Cook*, Parris Sarter)

The cast of Il Etait Une Fois (Once Upon A Time) at Theatre du Reve

(Natalie Karp, Eliana Marianes, Jennifer Schottstaedt)

The cast of Morningside at Georgia Ensemble Theatre

(Shelly McCook, Ann Wilson, Ellen McQueen*, Keena Redding Hunt, Gina Rickicki, Kate Donadio*, Stacy Melich, Kelly Criss, LaLa Cochran)

The cast of Perfect Arrangement at Theatrical Outfit

(Joe Knezevich*, Ann-Marie Gideon*, Clifton Guterman*, Courtney Patterson*, Stacy Melich, Kevin Stillwell, Ann Wilson)

The cast of Sense and Sensibility at Synchronicity Theatre

(Marcello Audino, Shelli Delgado, Robert Lee Hindsman, Rachel Mewbron*, Marcie Millard, Michelle Pokopac, J.L. Reed, Jennifer Schottstaedt, Bryant Smith*, Justin Walker)

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN - PLAY

Anne Carole Butler for The Life and Death of Richard the Second at Atlanta Shakespeare Company

Angela Balogh Calin for Shakespeare in Love at The ALLIANCE THEATRE

Linda Patterson for Perfect Arrangement at Theatrical Outfit

Elizabeth Rasmusson for Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Theatrical Outfit

Jennifer Schottstaedt for Il Etait Une Fois (Once Upon A Time) at Theatre du Reve

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN - PLAY

Maranda DeBusk for Throw Me on the Burnpile and Light Me Up at Aurora Theatre

Rob Dillard for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill at Theatrical Outfit

Liz Lee for Hand to God at The ALLIANCE THEATRE

Joseph P. Monaghan for Angels in America at Actor's Express

Ben Rawson for Abigail/1702 at Aurora Theatre

OUTSTANDING SCENIC DESIGN - PLAY

Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay for Abigail/1702 at Aurora Theatre

Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay for Between Riverside and Crazy at True Colors Theatre

Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay for Citizens Market at Horizon Theatre

Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill at Theatrical Outfit

Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay for Maytag Virgin at Aurora Theatre

Elizabeth Jarrett for Throw Me on the Burnpile and Light Me Up at Aurora Theatre

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN - PLAY

Marc Gwinn for Abigail/1702 at Aurora Theatre

Jake Harbour for Throw Me on the Burnpile and Light Me Up at Aurora Theatre

Stowe Nelson for Hand to God at The ALLIANCE THEATRE

Daniel Terry for Maytag Virgin at Aurora Theatre

Ed Thrower for Angels in America at Actor's Express

OUTSTANDING PROJECTION DESIGN - PLAY

Bradley Bergeron for Project Dawn at Horizon Theatre

Matt Brohammer for The Taming at Synchronicity Theatre

Barrett Doyle and Joel Coady for Boy at Theatrical Outfit

Jared Mezzochi for Ripe Frenzy at Synchronicity Theatre

Ed Thrower for Il Etait Une Fois (Once Upon A Time) at Theatre du Reve

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION - TYA

Heidi at Synchronicity Theatre

The Jungle Book at Georgia Ensemble Theatre

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at Synchronicity Theatre

Mother Goose at Center for Puppetry Arts

Winnie the Pooh at the ALLIANCE THEATRE

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION - TYA

Heidi at Synchronicity Theatre-Director: Julie Skrzypek

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at Synchronicity Theatre-Director: Mira Hirsch

Mother Goose at Center for Puppetry Arts-Director: Dolph Amick

Polkadots, the Cool Kids Musical at the Legacy Theatre-Director: Mark Smith

Winnie the Pooh at the ALLIANCE THEATRE-Director: Leora Morris

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE/ENSEMBLE - TYA

The cast of Heidi at Synchronicity Theatre: (Taryn Carmona, Jessenia Ingram, Jake Krakovsky, Robert Owenby, Emily Parrish Stembridge, Julie Trammel, Alex Van, Patrick Wade)

The cast of The Jungle Book at Georgia Ensemble Theatre: (Erik Poger Abrahamsen, Shelli Delgado, Robert Lee Hindsman, Asia Howard, JD Myers, Angelica K. Spence)

The cast of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at Synchronicity Theatre: (Josh Brook, Jimmica Collins, Caitlin Hargraves, Justin Walker)

The cast of Mother Goose at Center for Puppetry Arts: (Jimmica Collins, Luis R Hernandez)

The cast of Winnie the Pooh at the ALLIANCE THEATRE: (Isake Akanke, Caleb Baumann, Grant Chapman, CJ Cooper, Maria Rodriguez-Sager, Joe Sykes, Mabel Tyler)

OUTSTANDING DESIGN - TYA

The design team of Heidi at Synchronicity Theatre--(Scenic Design: Elizabeth Jarrett; Costume and Puppet Design: Derrick Vanmeter; Lighting Design: Elisabeth Cooper; Sound Design: Rob Brooksher; Music Direction: Christopher Cannon; Choreography: Ricardo Aponte)

The design team of The Jungle Book at the ALLIANCE THEATRE--(Scenic Design: Kat Conley; Costume Design: Sydney Roberts; Lighting Design: Steven Love; Sound Design: Clay Benning; Composer and Musical Direction: S. Renee Clark; Choreographer: Jen McQueen; Puppet Consultant: Jason Hines)

The design team of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at Synchronicity Theatre-Scenic Designer: Jon Nooner; Costume Designer: Linda Patterson; Lighting Design: Chris Crawford; Sound Design: Dan Baumann; Properties Design: Jillian Haughey)

The design team of Mother Goose at Center for Puppetry Arts--(Scenic Design: Ryan Sbaratta; Costume Design: Erik Teague; Lighting Design: Gregory Montague; Sound Design: Dolph Amick; Puppet Design: Jason Hines)

The design team of Winnie the Pooh at the ALLIANCE THEATRE--(Scenic Design: Mariana Sanchez; Costume Design: Fabian Fidel Aguilar; Lighting Design: Steven Love; Sound Design: Clay Benning; Music Director: Dylan Frederick)

NOMINATIONS BY PRODUCTION

The Color Purple - 11

The Hunchback of Notre Dame - 11

Blackberry Daze - 10

Cabaret - 7

Mamma Mia! - 7

Tarzan - 7

Abigail/1702 - 5

Angels in America - 5

Boy - 5

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly - 5

Candide - 4

Citizens Market - 4

Heidi - 4

Il Etait Une Fois (Once Upon A Time) - 4

Maytag Virgin - 4

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - 4

Mother Goose - 4

Throw Me on the Burnpile and Light Me Up - 4

Winnie the Pooh - 4

Crossing Delancey - 3

Hand to God - 3

The Jungle Book - 3

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill - 3

Little Shop of Horrors - 3

Perfect Arrangement - 3

Between Riverside and Crazy - 2

The Christians - 2

The Life and Death of Richard the Second - 2

Morningside - 2

Shakespeare in Love - 2

Always... Patsy Cline - 1

The Ballad of Klook and Vinette - 1

Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo - 1

Breath and Imagination - 1

The Flower Room - 1

The Followers - 1

Holler If Ya Hear Me - 1

Hospice and Pointing at the Moon - 1

The Little Mermaid - 1

Million Dollar Quartet - 1

Once on this Island - 1

Polkadots, the Cool Kids Musical - 1

Project Dawn - 1

Ripe Frenzy -1

Sense and Sensibility - 1

Sheltered - 1

The Taming - 1

The World Goes 'Round - 1

NOMINATIONS BY PRODUCER

Aurora Theatre - 31

Theatrical Outfit - 27

Actor's Express - 22

The ALLIANCE THEATRE - 19

Horizon Theatre - 14

Synchronicity Theatre - 11

Atlanta Lyric Theatre - 9

Serenbe Playhouse - 8

Georgia Ensemble Theatre - 5

Center for Puppetry Arts - 4

Theatre du Reve - 4

Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company - 3

7 Stages - 2

Atlanta Shakespeare Company - 2

The Legacy Theatre - 2

ART Station - 1

NOMINATIONS BY NOMINEE

Isabel Curley-Clay & Moriah Curley-Clay - 7

Ricardo Aponte - 3

Carolyn Cook* - 3

Diany Rodriguez* - 3

Justin Anderson - 2

Clay Benning - 2

Deborah Bowman* - 2

S. Renee Clark - 2

Brian Clowdus - 2

Jimmica Collins - 2

Shelli Delgado - 2

Kevin Frazier - 2

Clifton Guterman* - 2

Robert Lee Hindsman - 2

Bobby Johnston - 2

Stacy Melich - 2

Nyrobi Moss - 2

Courtney Patterson* - 2

Lee Osorio* - 2

Ann-Carol Pence - 2

Erik Teague - 2