Tampa’s beloved performing arts complex has seen a lot of names roll through in its 37-year history. David Bowie performed a month before the heart attack that caused his retirement from touring, “Hamilton” spent a month in the space’s Morsani Hall in 2019, and while promoting her debut album in 2008, some singer named Taylor Swift came by. Usually, the Straz puts on one hell of a Broadway season, but there was just something different about last year’s. It kicked off last October with “Beetlejuice,” which actually had to be paused multiple times during opening night (once being right after the titular character joked about gay Republicans, leading some to believe that Gov. Ron DeSantis was in the building). A fresh-off-Broadway “Funny Girl,” the Bob Dylan jukebox musical “Girl From The North Country,” and “Moulin Rouge” (which returns for this year’s Broadway season, too) all headed to Morsani throughout the spring and winter. It culminated in June with the powerful-as-ever “Les Miserables,” and the season as a whole pushed some to book a flight to New York City and delve into the Broadway scene as much as possible. strazcenter.org—Josh Bradley

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