BEST ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center continues to be the most important, wide-ranging theater organization in our area, and the irreplaceable Judith Lisi continues to keep the joint a-jumpin’. Some highlights from last season: the operas Madama Butterfly and Aida; the visit of luminous soprano Jessye Norman; Shawn McConneloug’s music/dance/theater piece Stand On Your Man; Leonard Nimoy’s tribute to Van Gogh, Vincent; The Acting Company’s production of Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona; Steve Solomon’s comedy My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m in Therapy; and the wonderfully funny Broadway musical Hairspray. Add Lisi’s wisdom in providing a home for the increasingly important Jobsite Theater and her sponsorship of the Patel Conservatory, and you’ve got a bunch of reasons to be glad she’s here. -Mark E. Leib