BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE – MALE

Gus Gordon

What would our theater community be without the consistent and creative work of Gus Gordon? Fortunately for us, we’ll never know. Gordon again tops all performances by local actors, this time for his interpretation of Don Quixote in the Over the Moon Production of Man of La Mancha under the direction of Leigh Steiner. Gus sported a beard for the part and added all the Gordon gusto that makes him a perennial choice in this category. In March of 2012 Gus stepped down from his longtime position as chief meteorologist at WICS to take the newly created position of artistic director at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. His continuing commitment to providing the finest in live theater entertainment for the Springfield community has endeared him to fellow workers and attending audiences in central Illinois, while voting his performances the best, year after year. Runner-up: Corey Blissett

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE – FEMALE

Anna Bussing

As a vibrant member of Springfield’s acting community, Anna Bussing acts, sings, dances and directs while giving her all to whatever activity she commits to do. This summer as Polly in the Doug Hahn and Gary Shull directed Crazy for You she won the hearts of local theatergoers. The musical, a vehicle for the songs of George Gershwin, also garnered quite a few votes for best live theater production, proving the overall show was a smashing success. Bussing’s performance was a showstopper though, and she was rewarded for her dazzling and dandy work with a resounding hurrah from our perceptive readers. The race was close with Hannah Siehr, Debbie Ross and Christie Lazzarides all receiving a substantial number of votes and runner-up Katie Ford for her part in Legally Blonde trailed Bussing by only a few votes. Runner-up: Katie Ford