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Photos from the 2007 Artie award show. (by Rose Mattrey)

The 2007 Artie Awards were among the most fun in memory. The event was hosted by Artvoice Theater Editor Anthony Chase, actor Norm Sham and actress Loraine O’Donnell of WKBW Channel 7’s PM Buffalo. We sang the traditional song parodies celebrating the nominated shows, and then the evening quickly evolved into a free-wheeling and often sentimental love fest.

Outstanding Supporting Actor Ozzie Lumpkin set the tone with his speech for the first win of the evening, giving an emotional account of what this honor and the theater mean to him. Everybody else followed suit. Outstanding Actress in a Musical Terrie George was almost too emotional to make it to the stage, but then bounced back with the quip, “I wish I’d spent more for my dress!”

While a good time was being had by all, tons of money was being raised for Benedict House, which provides residential services for individuals in our community living with HIV/AIDS. The party continued until 4am at Laughlin’s and Q, as celebrants wanted the good time to linger.

Highlights included O’Donnell’s assurance that her predecessor as host, Lisa Ludwig, had nothing to do with her injured foot. Jimmy Janowski giving an update on how many hours and minutes since Chita Rivera had departed from Buffalo. Numbers from nominated musicals. Endless quips from elegantly dressed presenters. And the surprise return of Lisa Ludwig, who was welcomed with a warm ovation to introduce the final presenters, Jeanne Cairns and Anne Gayley.

Outstanding Debut citations went to Jamie Cudney, Casey Denton, Heather J. Fangsrud, Lara D. Haberberger, Christopher Handley, Katie Hart, Christopher M. Howard, Kelly Jakiel, Andy Moss, Jenn Stafford, Ebony Stroud and Bonnie Jean Taylor.

Next week, Artvoice will feature a photo review of the Best Dressed at the Arties, as selected by Jimmy Janowski and photographed by Rose Mattrey.

For the record, the winners of the Artie Awards were as follows:

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY

The Sisters Rosensweig,

Jewish Repertory Theatre

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL

A Man of No Importance,

Irish Classical Theatre

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A PLAY

Gerry Maher, Talking Heads,

A Chip in the Sugar

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY

Dan Shanahan, Terminus

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE OF A PLAY

Love! Valour! Compassion!,

Buffalo United Artists

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

Randall Kramer, Tick Tick Boom

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE OF A MUSICAL

Musical of Musicals,

O’Connell & Company

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING

ACTOR IN A PLAY

Ozzie Lumpkin, Mule Bone

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Jeanne Cairns,

Talking Heads, Waiting for the Telegram

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING

ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Kelly Beuth, Ramona & Juliet

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Brian Riggs, A Man of No Importance

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Terrie George, Familiar Strangers

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING

ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Tim Newell, A Funny Thing Happened…

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING

ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Nicole Marale Cimato, Junie B. Jones

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY

Michael Walline, Familiar Strangers

OUTSTANDING NEW PLAY

The War Room, Darryl Schneider

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN

Chris Schenk, Familiar Strangers

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN

Kurt Schneiderman, Metamorphosis

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN

Todd Warfield, Reefer Madness