This 185-capacity room features relaxed table seating, subdued lighting and sound quality par excellence. It’s an uber-comfortable space. But none of this vibe would matter if the Side Door didn’t present top-notch performances. Programmed by Palladium director Paul Wilborn, the room puts on a slate of eclectic concerts by local, regional and touring acts. On any given night, you can check out jazz (a lot of it), blues, rock, Latin, roots-country, folk, comedy and, yes, cabaret, in an intimate setting alongside attentive patrons, most of whom are there for the show. mypalladium.org—Eric Snider
Arts & Entertainment
Finalists: Sam Sobel, Jeffery Walker III
Finalists: Lana Greene, Alexa Lowrey
Winner: Trashy Treasures @ Dunedin Fine Art Center
Finalists: Gasparilla Festival of the Arts VIP Experience, Five Deuces Galleria
Actor Brianna Larson has a long history with the histrionic young girls in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible.” She played the subservient, naive, lonely Mary Warren in New York City, then the manipulative temptress Abigail in Sarasota. Miller’s tale of the Salem Witch trials (as a parallel to McCarthyism), however, turns on the unwavering honesty of Elizabeth Proctor who ultimately lies to save her husband, John, who has committed adultery. Her portrayal of Elizabeth, in ThinkTank/TampaRep’s finely wrought production, is a marvel of restraint. Ms. Larson understands that, especially in the intimate Stageworks space where the play was produced, that the stark contrast to the young girl’s hysteria was her secret weapon. As the dramatic tension builds, a lesser performer might be tempted to embrace theatrics. Larson instead opts for quiet intensity with breathtaking effect. You could hear a pin drop, before the audience gasps. And that makes great theater. tamparep.org—Jon Palmer Claridge
Running a not-for-profit professional theater is not for the faint of heart. When freeFall was unable to open its season as announced due to unexpected illness, there was a scramble to find a replacement on short notice. Luckily, award-winning Broadway actor-singer, Chester Gregory was available and simply unmissable—a virtuoso’s turn on every level. Joy was the order of the day as he seduced the audience with many charming personal anecdotes and a cavalcade of Motown hits. One minute as Smokey Robinson, then Motown’s founder Berry Gordy (his role on Broadway and on tour), then Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and even after 90 minutes—running up and down the aisles with James Brown’s “I Feel Good”—a sense of euphoria swept the crowd and we all felt good too. Very good, indeed. freefalltheatre.com—Jon Palmer Claridge
Winner: The Shakes Society
Finalists: Crossfire Creek Band, K-Luv & the United Funk Foundation
Winner: The Wandering Hours
Finalists: Blackwater Jack, Applebutter Express
