Runners-up: Steve Otto, Daniel Ruth, Ernest Hooper
Most parentheticals associated with name:
“Howard Troxler (bye bye)
Howard Troxler (even though he left partway through the year)
Howard Troxler (former)
Howard Troxler (he’s gone)
Howard Troxler (how I miss him!)
Howard Troxler (in honor of his final year with the Times)
Howard Troxler (miss him!)
Howard Troxler (now retired)
Howard Troxler (pre-retirement)
Howard Troxler (retired)
Howard Troxler (RIP)
Howard Troxler (sigh)
Howard Troxler (still)
Howard Troxler (yes I know he’s gone now)
”
The Odd Couple (staged last February at Jobsite) would hardly seem a vehicle for outstanding acting, but Paul Potenza brought the character of Felix Unger to a level of existential despair that was both hilarious and deeply authentic. This cleanliness-obsessed sad sack had been to the edge of the abyss and wasn’t the better for it. But we in the audience surely were. (And he just keeps turning in memorable performances; in Jobsite’s current production of The Guys, he is utterly convincing as a NYC fire captain trying to come to terms with the loss of his comrades in 9/11.) jobsitetheater.org.
Runners-up: Datz, Pinky’s Diner, Ceviche
Runners-up: Post Hyde Park, Lakes of Northdale, The Cove, Carrollwood Palms
Runners-up: Chihuly Collection, Tempus Projects, Mindy Solomon
Runners-up: Mainsail, Dunedin, Hyde Park
Runners-up: Greene’s Auto Tampa, Bob Lee’s, Bill’s Family Garage
Runners-up: St. Pete Bagel, House of Bagels, Clearwater Bagel
Runners-up: Publix, Pane Rustica, Cassis
Runners-up: Roy’s, Bar Louie, Dunedin Brewery
Runners-up: Smoke, Sonny’s, Alex’s