The Suzi Bass Awards celebrated their 20th anniversary on November 13, honoring outstanding work in Atlanta’s live theatre and the artists who create it.
Among the shows garnering the most awards, Alliance Theatre’s new musical Water for Elephants, earned seven Suzis. The show is scheduled to open on Broadway next spring.
Award winners were announced at a party at Decatur’s DeKalb History Center, with a majority of Atlanta’s theatre community and industry artists in attendance.
This season, the Suzi Bass Awards volunteer judges chose nominees and recipients in 29 categories. 17 theatres and 34 productions were represented in the nominees.
Here is a complete list of the nominees, with the winners marked in boldface type:
AWARDS FOR MUSICALS
Choreography:
Brian Jordan, Jr. The Wiz True Colors Theatre Company
Jesse Robb+ & Shana Carroll Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
David Rossetti Mary Poppins Aurora Theatre
Veronica Silk Guys and Dolls Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Precious West Urinetown Actor’s Express & Oglethorpe Theatre
Costume Design:
Jarrod Barnes Urinetown Actor’s Express & Oglethorpe Theatre
Jarrod Barnes The Wiz True Colors Theatre Company
Dr. L. Nyrobi Moss Bright Star Georgia Ensemble Theatre
Alice Neff Mary Poppins Aurora Theatre
David Israel Reynoso Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
Direction:
Freddie Ashley Urinetown Actor’s Express & Oglethorpe Theatre
Kayce Grogan-Wallace Guys and Dolls Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Thomas W. Jones II Bright Star Georgia Ensemble Theatre
Jessica Stone Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
Amanda Wansa Morgan Next to Normal Jennie T. Anderson Theatre & Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Ensemble:
Lizzie Actor’s Express Jasmine Renee Ellis, Christina Leidel, Jessica De Maria, Megan Zhang
Featured Performer (10 nominees, 2 awards):
Caleb Brink as Nicely Nicely Johnson Guys and Dolls Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Patty de la Garza as Little Becky Two Shoes Urinetown Actor’s Express & Oglethorpe Theatre
Lawrence Flowers as James “Thunder” Early Dreamgirls Dominion Entertainment
Desiré Gaston as Disco Donna Summer: The Donna Summer Musical Aurora Theatre
Sara Gettelfinger as Barbara Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
Tatum McBride as Little Sally Urinetown Actor’s Express & Oglethorpe Theatre
Wade McCollum as Wade Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
James Allen McCune as Jimmy Ray Dobbs Bright Star Georgia Ensemble Theatre
Golbanoo Setayesh as Natalie Next to Normal Jennie T. Anderson Theatre & Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Jacob Ryan Smith as Gabe Next to Normal Jennie T. Anderson Theatre & Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Lighting Design:
Andre C. Allen/Blacklight Productions The Wiz True Colors Theatre Company
Maranda DeBusk Lizzie Actor’s Express
Bradley King Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
D. Connor McVey Guys and Dolls Atlanta Lyric Theatre
D. Connor McVey Urinetown Actor’s Express & Oglethorpe Theatre
Music Direction:
John-Michael D’Haviland & Holt McCarley Next to Normal Jennie T. Anderson Theatre & Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Matt Hinkley Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
Christian Magby & LeRell Ross Bright Star Georgia Ensemble Theatre
Ann-Carol Pence Mary Poppins Aurora Theatre
Ashley Prince Urinetown Actor’s Express & Oglethorpe Theatre
Principal Performer (10 nominees, 2 awards):
Marcello Audino as Sky Masterson Guys and Dolls Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Mary Nye Bennett as Diana Next to Normal Jennie T. Anderson Theatre & Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Taylor Buice as Dan Next to Normal Jennie T. Anderson Theatre & Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Chloe Cordle as Miss Adelaide Guys and Dolls Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Jaymyria Etienne as Sarah Brown Guys and Dolls Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Bryan Fenkart* as August/Charlie Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
Megan K. Hill as Pennywise Urinetown Actor’s Express & Oglethorpe Theatre
Liza Jaine as Alice Murphy Bright Star Georgia Ensemble Theatre
Isabelle McCalla as Marlena/June Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
Ryan Vasquez as Jacob Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
Projection Design:
David Bengali Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
Kimberly Binns The Wiz True Colors Theatre Company
Kimberly Binns Summer: The Donna Summer Musical Aurora Theatre
Maranda DeBusk Lizzie Actor’s Express
Bobby Johnston Next to Normal Jennie T. Anderson Theatre & Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Scenic Design:
Seamus M. Bourne Urinetown Actor’s Express & Oglethorpe Theatre
Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay The Wiz True Colors Theatre Company
Takeshi Kata Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
Stephanie Polhemus Bright Star Georgia Ensemble Theatre
Stephanie Polhemus Guys and Dolls Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Sound Design:
Jeremiah Davison Summer: The Donna Summer Musical Aurora Theatre
Caleb Hurst Guys and Dolls Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Bobby Johnston Next to Normal Jennie T. Anderson Theatre & Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Jessica Paz Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
Daniel Terry Mary Poppins Aurora Theatre
AWARDS FOR PLAYS
Costume Design:
Anné Carole Butler Much Ado About Nothing Atlanta Shakespeare Company
Anné Carole Butler & Clint Horne As You Like It Atlanta Shakespeare Company
Dr. L. Nyrobi Moss Designing Women 2020 Horizon Theatre
Dr. L. Nyrobi Moss The Play That Goes Wrong Aurora Theatre
Jennifer Schottstaedt Tesla vs. Edison Center for Puppetry Arts
Direction:
Freddie Ashley Prayer for the French Republic Actor’s Express
Jason Hines Tesla vs. Edison Center for Puppetry Arts
Amber McGinnis Tiny Beautiful Things Theatrical Outfit
Heidi McKerley The Play That Goes Wrong Aurora Theatre
Matt Torney & Tim Stoltenberg The White Chip Theatrical Outfit & Dad’s Garage
Ensemble:
The Play That Goes Wrong Aurora Theatre — Marcello Audino, Skyler Brown, Caleb Clark, Arianna Hardaway, Chris Hecke, Jeff McKerley, Candy McLellan, Anthony Rodriguez
Designing Women 2020 Horizon Theatre — Beth Beyer, Robin Bloodworth, Lane Carlock, Joanna Daniels, Luis R. Hernandez, Eve Krueger, Katherine Lanasa, Tiffany Porter
Much Ado About Nothing Atlanta Shakespeare Company–Mila Bolash, O’Neil Delapenha, Jaclyn Hofmann Faircloth, Nick Faircloth, Chris Hecke, Adam King, Amanda Lindsey McDonald, Daryel T Monson, Mary Ruth Ralston, Cameryn Richardson, David Rucker III, Charlie Thomas, Kelly Clare Toland, Tyra Watkins, Kenneth Wigley
Tiny Beautiful Things Theatrical Outfit–Robin Bloodworth, Candy McLellan, Maria Rodriguez-Sager, Stephen Ruffin
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) Atlanta Shakespeare Company–O’Neil Delapenha, Ebony Jerry, Trevor Perry
Featured Performer (10 nominees, 2 awards):
Jeremy Aggers as Doug The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd Alliance Theatre
Brandon Burditt as Uncle Craig The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd Alliance Theatre
Lamar K. Cheston as Rich/Mr. Lee/Mike/Alex Kim’s Convenience Aurora Theatre & Horizon Theatre Company
Jay Jones as TJ The Hot Wing King Alliance Theatre
Faina Khibkin as Elodie Prayer for the French Republic Actor’s Express
Aliya Kraar as Molly Prayer for the French Republic Actor’s Express
Antonia LaChé as Ensemble Mlima’s Tale 7 Stages
Adir Lev Mann as Daniel Prayer for the French Republic Actor’s Express
Cara Mantella as Mary Jane Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train Actor’s Express
Susan Shalhoub Larkin as Momo The Humans Theatrical Outfit
Lighting Design:
Liz Lee Tesla vs. Edison Center for Puppetry Arts
Joseph P. Monaghan III Prayer for the French Republic Actor’s Express
Mary Parker Designing Women 2020 Horizon Theatre
Ben Rawson The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd Alliance Theatre
Toni Sterling The Play That Goes Wrong Aurora Theatre
Principal Performer (10 nominees, 2 awards):
Ross Benjamin as Patrick Prayer for the French Republic Actor’s Express
LaLa Cochran as Deidre Blake The Humans Theatrical Outfit
Carolyn Cook as Marcelle Prayer for the French Republic Actor’s Express
Bjorn Dupaty as Cordell The Hot Wing King Alliance Theatre
Alan Edwards as Erik Blake The Humans Theatrical Outfit
Cristian Gonzalez as Angel Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train Actor’s Express
Ingrid Griffith as Shirley Chisholm and others Shirley Chisholm: Unbossed & Unbowed Out of Hand Theater
Sekou Laidlow as Lucius Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train Actor’s Express
Christina Leidel as The Woman The Turn of the Screw Georgia Ensemble Theatre
Olubajo “Bajo” Sonubi as Mlima Mlima’s Tale 7 Stages
Projection Design:
Milton Cordero Everybody Alliance Theatre
Caite Hevner The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd Alliance Theatre
Jason Hines Tesla vs. Edison Center for Puppetry Arts
Daniel Pope Kim’s Convenience Aurora Theatre & Horizon Theatre Company
Olubajo “Bajo” Sonubi Mlima’s Tale 7 Stages
Scenic Design:
Michael Carnahan The Hot Wing King Alliance Theatre
Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay The Play That Goes Wrong Aurora Theatre
Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay Designing Women 2020 Horizon Theatre Company
Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay Support Group for Men Horizon Theatre Company
Ryan Sbaratta Tesla vs. Edison Center for Puppetry Arts
Sound Design:
Christopher Darbassie The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd Alliance Theatre
Mikaela Fraser The Play That Goes Wrong Aurora Theatre
Bailey Gafeny & Johnathan Taylor / Multiband Studio Designing Women 2020 Horizon Theatre
Winston Johnson The Turn of the Screw Georgia Ensemble Theatre
Sharath Patel The Humans Theatrical Outfit
THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
Performance:
The Boy Who Kissed the Sky Alliance Theatre — Deborah Bowman, Alexandria Joy, Aishé Keita, Cedric Lamar, Brandon L. Smith, Mike Spee, Adam Washington
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters — Synchronicity Theatre Jonathan Bryant, Brandin Jay, Kendra Johnson, Brittani Minnieweather, Anthony Nash, Ja’Siah Young
Design:
The Boy Who Kissed the Sky — Alliance Theatre Alan Yeong^ (costumes), Connie Yun (lighting), Miko Simmons (projections), Carey Wong^ (scenic), Chris Lane (sound)
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters Synchronicity Theatre — Dr. L. Nyrobi Moss (costumes), Maliya McCall (lighting), Gabrielle Stephenson (scenic), Johnathan Taylor (sound)
Direction:
The Boy Who Kissed the Sky — Alliance Theatre Tim Bond+ (director), Eugene H. Russell IV (music director), Sonia Dawkins (choreographer)
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters Synchronicity Theatre Taryn Janelle (director/choreographer), LeRell Ross (music director)
New Work:
The Boy Who Kissed the Sky Alliance Theatre — Idris Goodwin (book), Eugene H. Russell IV & Divinity Roxx (music)
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters Synchronicity Theatre Karen Abbott (book), LeRell Ross (music), Taryn Janelle (lyrics)
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTIONS
Musical:
Bright Star Georgia Ensemble Theatre
Guys and Dolls Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Next to Normal Jennie T. Anderson Theatre & Atlanta Lyric Theatre
Urinetown Actor’s Express & Oglethorpe Theatre Water for Elephants Alliance Theatre
Play:
Designing Women 2020 Horizon Theatre Company
The Play That Goes Wrong Aurora Theatre
Prayer for the French Republic Actor’s Express
Tesla vs. Edison Center for Puppetry Arts
Tiny Beautiful Things Theatrical Outfit
World Premiere:
By My Will by Douglas Post Atlanta Shakespeare Company
Flex by Candrice Jones Theatrical Outfit
Oh, To Be Pure Again by Kira Rockwell Actor’s Express
Tesla vs. Edison by Jason Hines Center for Puppetry Arts
Water for Elephants by Rick Elice (book), Pigpen Theatre Co. (music and lyrics), based on the novel by Sara Gruen Alliance Theatre
Outstanding Social Justice:
The Hot Wing King Alliance Theatre
Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train Actor’s Express
Kim’s Convenience Aurora Theatre & Horizon Theatre
Mlima’s Tale 7 Stages
Shirley Chisholm: Unbossed & Unbowed Out of Hand Theater
Theatre for Young Audiences:
The Boy Who Kissed the Sky Alliance Theatre
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters Synchronicity Theatre
SPECIAL AWARDS:
The Spirit of Suzi Bass Award: The Overture Series at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre under the direction of Jono Davis
Volunteer of the Year Award: Julianne Taft, Board Chair, Synchronicity Theatre
Callboard Award: LaWanda Green, Operations Manager, Horizon Theatre Company
For a further details, visit www.thesuzis.org.
