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On Monday, Nov. 5, at the Fox Theatre’s Egyptian Ballroom, the Suzi Bass Awards will present the Atlanta equivalent of New York’s Tony Awards for theatrical excellence. Named for deceased, beloved Atlanta actress Suzi Bass, the “Suzis” will be presented in 22 categories, including the already-announced “Spirit of Suzi” award for Jerry’s Habima Theatre and the Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award for Charm School by Larry Larson and Eddie Levi Lee.

I wouldn’t go so far as to predict the likely winners. Since the awards are only a few years old, it’s too soon to predict “patterns” of voting, like you can do with the Oscars. Some of my favorites of the 2006-07 theatrical season were shut out, including the admittedly challenging Thom Pain (Based on Nothing) at Actor’s Express, starring Chris Kayser and directed by Susan V. Booth, and the Center for Puppetry Arts’ Tales of Edgar Allen Poe (deemed ineligible until the group designates an official “puppetry” category). If I were a voting member, however, these are my personal favorites from the 108 Suzi nominees:

Best Director (Play): Lisa Adler, 9 Parts of Desire, Horizon Theatre

Best Director (Musical): Clint Thornton, A Year with Frog and Toad, Synchronicity Performance Group

Lead Actress (Play): Linda Stephens, Turned Funny, Theatre in the Square

Lead Actress (Musical): Agnes Harty, Cabaret, The Shakespeare Tavern

Featured Actress (Play): Kathleen Wattis, Based on a Totally True Story, Actor’s Express

Featured Actress (Musical): Karen Howell, Mt. Pleasant Homecoming, Theatre in the Square

Lead Actor (Play): Glynn Turman, Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, True Colors Theatre Co.

Lead Actor (Musical): Jeff McKerley, Cabaret, The Shakespeare Tavern

Featured Actor (Play): Neal A. Ghant, Glengarry Glen Ross, Alliance Theatre

Featured Actor (Musical): Craig A. Meyer, A Year with Frog and Toad, Synchronicity

Ensemble (Play): 9 Parts of Desire, Horizon

Ensemble (Musical): Mt. Pleasant Homecoming, Theatre in the Square

Musical Direction: S. Renee Clark, Cabaret, Shakespeare Tavern

Choreography: Marguerite Derricks, Sister Act: The Musical, Alliance Theatre

Costume Design: Sydney Roberts, Pericles, Georgia Shakespeare

Scenic Design: Lisa Johnson, Voices Underwater, Synchronicity

Lighting Design: Jessica Coale, Beckett’s Memories, 7 Stages

Sound Design: Chris Bartelski, 9 Parts of Desire, Horizon

Production (Play): 9 Parts of Desire, Horizon

Production (Musical): Cabaret, The Shakespeare Tavern

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