On Monday evening, Aug. 20, at The Palladium in St. Pete, “bests” for two participating theaters — American Stage and Stageworks — and “special recognition” awards from Hat Trick, freeFall, Jobsite, the Silver Meteor and Gorilla — were given to local theater professionals. There was also a Critics’ Choice Award for best play and best musical, decided by CL ‘s Mark E. Leib with Kathy Greenberg of The Tampa Tribune and a critic from the Tampa Bay Times (John Fleming is out having hip surgery). The event is named, as many know, in honor of a beloved actor whose 2010 murder devastated the local theater scene.

From left, event piano man Stan Collins relaxes with actor Scott Daniel backstage. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
A close-up view of the upper pipes in the Palladium’s organ. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
David Mann performs “Willkommen” from the critics’ choice award-winning musical Cabaret, a highly touted role that will be reprised Aug. 30-Sept. 30. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Second Annual Jeff Norton Awards Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Host with the most Matt McGee (winner for his role as Frank-n-Furter, Rocky Horror Show) added fun sass to the night. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Host Matt McGee helps Cabaret’s David Mann cap off his musical number. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Vincent Stalba, of Stageworks’ Biloxi Blues, won for outstanding featured actor. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Monica Merryman shows her glee after winning Outstanding Featured Actress in Stageworks ‘Night, Mother Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
The guys from Hat Trick Theatre honor Joe Winskye. Paul McColgan, left, entertained the crowd, on stilts, with Steve Fisher and Jack Holloway. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Emcee Matt McGee interviews Sylvia’s Kari Goetz in character. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Kari Goetz deserves a treat for her last-minute improv routine as Sylvia the dog, a role for which she won Outstanding Actress in a Play. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Studio@620’s Bob Devin Jones and actress Lynne Locher present Trish Kelley the award for outstanding costume design for her work in American Stage’s The Foreigner and Rocky Horror. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Bridget Bean, Francine Wolf and Clare Ward-Jenkins of Gorilla Theatre amusingly honor Lynne Locher. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Lynne Locher graciously accepts a recognition award from Gorilla Theatre. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Emcee Matt McGee said of his purple scarf-blessed ensemble: “If you can’t hide it, decorate it.” He won for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Hampton Dohrman and Kathy Buck present the Jeff Norton Award for Outstanding Scenic and Lighting Design. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Scott Phillips won two Jeff Norton Awards for his scenic design in both August: Osage County and ‘Night, Mother. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
David Jenkins presents a special recognition award on behalf of Jobsite. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
A standing ovation greeted Roz Potenza, recipient of the Jobsite award. She joked that after undergoing chemo therapy, she would never complain about learning lines. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Real-life couple Paul Wilborn and Eugenie Bondurant mockingly portray a high-society couple beset by the RNC. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Theatre Tampa Bay co-founder Bridget Bean did much of the behind-the-scenes work at the gala. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Though actors Emilia Sargent (A Streetcar Named Desire) and Giles Davies (Quills) earned praise for their leading roles in plays not up for consideration, they were more than happy to present awards for outstanding lead actor and actress in play for Stageworks and American Stage productions. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Melissa Misener performs as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a role she’ll play in the upcoming St. Petersburg Opera production. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
freeFall Artistic Director Eric Davis presents a special recognition award. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Bill Ward, who’s donated hours of hard work, accepts an “Unsung Hero” award from freeFall — and sings the theater’s praises. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Venue Collective Executive Director Corinne Broskette and director/actor Gavin Hawk read off the names of Outstanding Director. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
CL’s Mark E. Leib and Trib’s Kathy Greenberg present their “critic’s choice” awards for Cabaret and August: Osage County. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Todd Olson, artistic director of American Stage, accepts his Jeff Norton Award. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Beloved actors/couple Paul and Roz Potenza at the backstage after party. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
From left, DJs Stevan Polansky and Rob Kildoo spin modern dance tracks. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
Creative Loafing A&E Editor Julie Garisto and Erik Lurz of Gruesome Playground Injuries. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla
From left are James Cass, Dayton Sinkia, Aslhey Lafayette and Katie Castonguay. Credit: Daniel Veintimilla