By: Maria Esteves - May 27, 2010

The 55th Annual OBIES Cocktail Party preceded the ceremony at Webster Hall, New York, Monday, May 17, 7:00pm. Presented by The Village Voice and Stella Artois, the OBIES (abbreviation for Off-Broadway) co-hosted by Tony Award winners Michael Cerveris and Anika Noni Rose honors Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway theater achievements of 2009-2010.  Theater professionals, past Obie winners and nominees celebrated a private cocktail reception with exquisite h'orderves by Braai South African Restaurant, Jimmy's No 43, Max, and Poco. 

55th Village Voice OBIES Cocktail Party, chairman OBIE committee Michael Feingold, The Village Voice, right, with author Mart Crowely, Off-Broadway revival “The Boys in the Band,” Performance Award winner, 2010 Obies.

55th Village Voice OBIES Cocktail Party, OBIE co-hosts Michael
Cerveris, right, and Anika Noni Rose.

55th Village Voice OBIES Cocktail Party, OBIE Award presenter,
writer/actor Hamish Linklater, The Winter’s Tale and Merchant
of Venice.

55th Village Voice OBIES Cocktail Party, publicity Fabian Burrell, Aziza Public Relations, left, with company manager Patricia White, New Federal Theatre.

55th Village Voice OBIES Cocktail Party, founder/president Roberto Rizzo,
New York City International Film Festival, right, with author Mart Crowely, Off-Broadway revival “The Boys in the Band,” Performance Award winner,
2010 Obies.

55th Village Voice OBIES Cocktail Party, from left-right, artistic director
Jan Buttram, chairman Timothy P. Speiss, and associate artistic director
Kim T. Sharp, Abingdon Theatre Company, Sister Myotis’s Bible Camp.

55th Village Voice OBIES Cocktail Party, from left-right, author Mart
Crowely, production stage manager Wendi Patten, and cast member
Jon Leveson (Harold) Off-Broadway revival “The Boys in the Band,”
Performance Award winner, 2010 Obies.

55th Village Voice OBIES Cocktail Party, Best Design and Music Award
winner, 2010 Obies, marketing director Bill Updegraff, St. Ann’s Warehouse, center, with past Obie winners Lee Breuer, left, and Maude Mitchell, Mabou Mines DollHouse.