As a small-market team with a poor attendance record, the Rays have always been inclined to shed payroll—especially when, like this year, making the playoffs seems all but out of reach. The salary dump leading up to the July 30 trade deadline was especially aggressive (or egregious, depending on your point of view), but probably necessary. The Rays jettisoned No. 1 pitcher Zach Eflin (due $18 million next year), this year’s top hitter, Isaac Paredes, and fan favorite Randy Arozarena. Count among them a few lesser names who were also moved. The pundits say the Rays did well in getting back a bushel of prospects. But that’s little consolation for fans whose Arozarena jerseys are now obsolete, not to mention that “Randy Land” in left field needs rebranding. mlb.com/rays—Eric Snider

Winner: Dunedin Fine Art Center

Finalists: Five Deuces Galleria, Morean Arts Center

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 Wandering Hours

Finalists: Blackwater Jack, Applebutter Express