The 2005 Suzi Bass Awards — Greater Atlanta's first professional theatre awards — were held on the Mainstage of the 14th Street Playhouse. Atlanta actor Rob Cleveland hosted the evening, which also included the presentation of "The Spirit of Suzi Bass Award" to actress Karen Howell, who is a longtime chair of the Equity liaison committee. The Spirit Award is given to "a working performer or theatrical organization in metro Atlanta whose work mirrors Suzi Bass’ long-time embrace of professionalism in the theatre."
Gene-Gabriel Moore, chairman of The Suzi Bass Awards, Inc., also presented a "Spirit of Suzi" award to Bass' husband, Bob Bass.
Founded two years ago by director-playwright-actor Moore, the awards were named for the late Suzi Bass, a respected stage and screen actor from Atlanta. In a recent statement creator Moore said, "My goal and the goal of the executive committee is to cast light upon outstanding theatre companies in five counties, and especially the measure of their respect for actors. These are theatre awards only for theatre people and by theatre people.”
The complete list of winners follow (winners names are in bold with an asterisk).
Outstanding Production
Mahalia, by Tom Stoltz, Theatre in the Square, a musical biography of gospel legend Mahalia Jackson.
*The Color Purple, Alliance Theatre Company, the world premiere of Marsha Norman’s adaptation from Georgia sharecropper’s daughter Alice Walker’s novel. Music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.
The Diviners, by Jim Leonard, Jr., Theatre in the Square, a Depression era fable of a challenged young boy who might have special powers.
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Alliance Theatre Company, the world premiere of Rebecca Gilman’s adaptation of Georgia-native Carson McCullers’ first novel.
The Syringa Tree, by Pamela Gein, Horizon Theatre Company, an engaging story of two families in1960's South Africa. Outstanding Director
Alan Kilpatrick, Take Me Out, by Richard Greenberg, Theatre in the Square.
Alan Kilpatrick, The Diviners, by Jim Leonard, Jr., Theatre in the Square.
*Carol Mitchell-leon, Mahalia, by Tom Stoltz, Theatre in the Square.
Jessica Phelps West, Fiddler on the Roof, Jewish Theatre of the South.
Lisa Adler, The Syringa Tree, by Pamela Gein, Horizon Theatre Company.
Outstanding Female Actor
*Bernardine Mitchell, Mahalia, by Tom Stoltz, Theatre in the Square.
Carolyn Cook, The Syringa Tree, by Pamela Gein, Horizon Theatre Company.
Jill Jane Clements, The Foreigner, by Larry Shue, Theatrical Outfit.
LaChanze, The Color Purple, adapted from Alice Walker’s novel, Alliance Theatre Company.
Marianne Fraulo, From Door to Door, by James Sherman, Jewish Theatre of the South.
Outstanding Male Actor
*Chris Ekholm, The Diviners, by Jim Leonard, Jr., Theatre in the Square.
Chris Kayser, The Comedy of Errors, by William Shakespeare, Georgia Shakespeare.
Chris Moses, The Diviners, by Jim Leonard, Jr., Theatre in the Square.
Dan Triandiflou, The Foreigner, by Larry Shue, Theatrical Outfit, set in a rural Georgia fishing lodge.
Travis Young, Take Me Out, by Richard Greenberg, Theatre in the Square.
