Jackman, Mays, Tartaglia, Westfeldt, Lathan, Morton, Jones Among Winners of Theatre World Awards

By Ernio Hernandez
11 May 2004

From Top: Hugh Jackman, John Tartaglia, and Jennifer Westfeldt
From Top: Hugh Jackman, John Tartaglia, and Jennifer Westfeldt

The Theatre World Awards, which honor performers for making their first major New York stage performance (Broadway or Off-Broadway debuts), were announced May 11. The winners will be celebrated at a ceremony to be held May 24.

The 2003 Theatre World Awards winners are:

Shannon Cochran, Bug
Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Avenue Q
Mitchel David Federan, The Boy From Oz
Alexander Gemignani, Assassins
Hugh Jackman, The Boy From Oz
Isabel Keating, The Boy From Oz
Sanaa Lathan, A Raisin in the Sun
Jefferson Mays, I Am My Own Wife
Euan Morton, Taboo
Anika Noni Rose, Caroline, or Change
John Tartaglia, Avenue Q
Jennifer Westfeldt, Wonderful Town

Special Theatre World Award
Sarah Jones, bridge & tunnel

First presented in 1945, the Theatre World Awards are among the oldest theatrical awards. Traditionally, a committee of theatre writers choose six men and six women. On occasion, the awards bestow a Special Theatre World Award on "performers, casts or others who have made a particularly lasting impression on the New York theatre scene," as stated on the website. One has not been awarded since the 2000-01 season when Stones in His Pockets stars Sean Campion and Conleth Hill won.

This year's winners were chosen by a panel that included Playbill's own Harry Haun, Peter Filichia (News 12 New Jersey), Ben Hodges (Theatre World), Matthew Murray (Theatermania), Frank Scheck (Hollywood Reporter), Michael Sommers (The Star Ledger), Linda Winer (Newsday) and John Willis (Theatre World).

Previous Theatre World Award winners La Chanze, Viola Davis, Jarrod Emick, and Lonny Price are scheduled to present the awards at the invitation-only Theatre World Awards presentation at Studio 54, May 24.