Jitney and 4 Guys Named Jose notwithstanding, New York City commercial theatre still isn’t exactly a multi-cultural melting pot. All the more reason to show appreciation for the performers of non-white backgrounds who do break through. Such is the thinking behind the Audelco Awards, which laud excellence in African-American performers and productions.

According to Awards spokesperson (and 2000 Audelco nominee) Rome Neal, the 28th annual Vivian Robinson Audelco Black Theatre Awards are set for Nov. 20 at the Windows Over Harlem Restaurant in Harlem, NY, with the reception starting at 6 PM, dinner at 7 PM and the ceremony at 8 PM. This year’s theme will be “We Are Rebuilding the Dream.”

Here are the 2000 Audelco Nominees:

DRAMATIC PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
The Dance on Widow's Row
James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire
Jitney
Romeo and Juliet

PLAYWRIGHT
Laurence Holder Monk
Ron Milner Defending the Light
Joyce Sylvester Grace in the Light
Samm-Art Williams The Dance on Widow's Row
August Wilson Jitney SUPPORTING ACTOR
Arthur French Romeo and Juliet
Lex Monson Defending the Light
James Pringia Killing Me Softly
Count Stovall Grace in the Light

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Phyllis Bash Grace in the Light
Monifa Fola Brown Romeo and Juliet
Melody Cooper As You Like It
Rashmi With Strings
Olivia Williams Benefits

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL/ FEMALE
Cheryl Alexander The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
Roz Davis Damn Yankees
Camille McKinnon Tragedy in South Central
LeChanze The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL/ MALE
Monte Arnold Tragedy in South Central
Darius de Haas The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
Robert Jason Jackson The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
Robert Turner Damn Yankees

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTOR
John W. Bowan Damn Yankees
Robbie Brown Tragedy in South Central
Fred Carl The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL CREATOR
Kirsten Childs The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
Lanny Mitchell Tragedy in South Central

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
For Colored Girls
James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire
Jitney
The Dance on Widow's Row

SOLO PERFORMANCE
Joseph Edward Manchild in the Promised Land
Leighann S. Lord The Full Swanky
Rome Neal Monk

MUSICAL PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
Damn Yankees
The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
Tragedy in South Central

LEAD ACTOR
Todd Davis Waiting
Arthur French Ceremonies in Dark Old Men
Zaria Griffin Fool's Gold
Nashawn Kaerae Grace in the Light
Eddie Robinson Defending the Light

LEAD ACTRESS
Yes Asantewa Fool's Gold
Christine Campbell Indigo Blues
Wendi Joy Franklin Grace in the Light
Amina Robinson Romeo and Juliet
Charlayne Woodard In the Blood

LIGHTING DESIGN
Donald Holder Jitney
Michael Lincoln The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
Shirley Prandergast The Dance on Widow's Row
Antoinette Tynes James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire

SET DESIGN
Felix Cochren The Dance on Widow's Row
David Gallo The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
David Gallo Jitney
Christopher Pierre Indigo Blues

COSTUME DESIGN
Anita Ellis Defending the Light
Kimberly Glannon Romeo and Juliet
Susan Hilferty Jitney
David C. Woolard The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin

SOUND DESIGN
Albert Eikerson Romeo and Juliet
Derek Galloway Indigo Blues
Rob Milburn Jitney
Sean O'Halloran James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire

DIRECTOR/ DRAMATIC PRODUCTION
George Faison For Colored Girls
Marion McClinton Jitney
Chuck Patterson James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire
Alfred Preisser Romeo and Juliet
Samm-Art Williams The Dance on Widow's Row

DIRECTOR/ MUSICAL PRODUCTION
Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj Damn Yankees
Wilfredo Medina The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
Lanny Mitchell Tragedy in South Central

CHOREOGRAPHY
A.C. Ciulla The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
George Faison For Colored Girls
Trisha Jeffrey Romeo and Juliet
Rajandra Ramoon Maharaj Damn Yankees

Founded in 1973 by the late Vivian Robinson to generate "more recognition, understanding and awareness of the arts in African-American communities...and to build new audiences for non-profit theaters and dance companies," the Audelco’s are administered by the not-for-profit Audience Development Committee, Inc.

The Trial of One Short-Sighted Black Woman vs. Mammy Louise and Safreeta Mae, a satirical comedy by Marcia L. Leslie, won six Audelco Awards last year, including Best Play, Playwright, Ensemble, Director, Set, Costumes and Dramatic Production of the Year. Andre DeShields (Play On! and currently in The Full Monty) hosted last year’s ceremony.

For tickets ($50-$100) and information on the 2000 Audelco Awards at Windows over Harlem Restaurant in the Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Harlem State Office Building, 163 West 125th Street, call (212) 222-0206.