Central Florida theaters large and small flourished with creativity during 2023. Throughout December, I’ve been saluting achievements in the various branches of the theatrical arts with a series of online honor rolls (find them at OrlandoSentinel.com/theater).

Now, here are my Critic’s Pick in each category — plus my choices for the year’s Best Comedy, Best Drama and Best Musical — as we finish the annual celebration of the most memorable theatrical achievements of 2023.

Matthew J. Palm: Best of Orlando Theater 2023 | Special recognition

CREATIVE

Choreography

Kyli Rae ♦ ‘The Prom’ ♦ Theatre UCF

Kyli Rae’s inspired choreography put Theatre UCF’s big stage through its paces. This “Prom” was packed with students, but Rae created clean lines and sequences of motion that built the emotion and dramatic thrust as much as the music and singers did.

Music direction

David M. Lutken ♦ ‘Moonshine & Mistletoe’ ♦ Garden Theatre/Victory Productions/Jessica Huckabey Theatricals

David M. Lutken made mountain magic in “Moonshine & Mistletoe,” with a cast that brought the holidays to life with the traditional Appalachian sounds of folk, country, bluegrass and gospel. From squeezebox to strings to spoons, under Lutken’s direction the music was full of joy and laughter, and he did justice to Larry Moore’s clever arrangements.

Sound design

Matthew MacDermid ♦ ‘The Inheritance’ parts one and two ♦ The Ensemble Company

Obtaining the rights for the Tony-winning score from “The Inheritance” paid off for the Ensemble Company production, with the mood-setting music adding to the play’s already powerful emotions. In Matthew MacDermid’s sound design, that was augmented with other evocative sounds, like falling rain, to fuel the imagination. MacDermid was named a Critic’s Pick in 2021 for acting.

Lighting design

Alyx Jacobs ♦ ‘The Little Mermaid’ ♦ Theatre at St. Luke’s

Alyx Jacobs’ gorgeous lighting, full of shimmering colors, transported viewers under the sea for this large-scale production of “The Little Mermaid” from Theatre at St. Luke’s. With so much going on, Jacobs’ work also helped focus the viewer. And in a particularly nifty — and striking — idea, he used lighting to create a luminous stage-surrounding “curtain” to make beautiful scene transitions and hide necessary theatrical trickery. Jacobs previously was named a Critic’s Pick in this category in 2019, for his work on “Mary Poppins” for Theatre at St. Luke’s.

Costume design

Tay Anderson ♦ ‘Ruthless’ ♦ Winter Park Playhouse

Tay Anderson perfectly played into the campiness of “Ruthless,” with an eye for popping colors. She also demonstrated a keen eye for detail: The rhinestones on a spotlight-hungry teacher’s glasses, the perfect pastel belt and pale-blue headband for a 1950s-style housewife. The trailing scarf from a diva’s dramatic black-and-white ensemble, the touch of sparkle to an imperious critic’s royal purple. Not only were the outfits gorgeous, they added to the fun of the show — and smartly said something about the characters wearing them.

Scenic design

Donald Rupe, Blake Aburn, Joey Coombs ♦ ‘The Cocaine Play’ ♦ Renaissance Theatre

The strikingly stark scenic design by Donald Rupe, Blake Aburn and Joey Coombs for “The Cocaine Play” worked on multiple levels. The all-white surroundings suggested something otherworldly, as befitted the story, but also something trendy and hip, reflecting the characters’ aspirations. White bricks of coke formed a wall that could grow, diminish or be moved as the characters toiled through their unsatisfying lives.

PERFORMING

Ensemble

‘Something Rotten!’ ♦ Victory Productions/Garden Theatre

Playing everything from a bunch of Gospel-loving Puritans to a game group of Renaissance thespians starring in “Omelette,” the world’s first musical (and first theatrical disaster), the ensemble performers of “Something Rotten!” lifted the show’s comic energy with every silly move they made.

Featured Actor, Comedy

Beth Ann Stripling ♦ ‘Significant Other’ ♦ New Generation Theatrical

Beth Ann Stripling added to the comedy of “Significant Other” with gusto, but also showed a particularly touching vulnerability as a woman who by pursuing her own happiness hurts another. And her ability to switch gears from the comic to the tragic greatly enhanced the play’s climactic moments.

Featured Actor, Drama

Brent Jordan ♦ ‘Boulevard of Bold Dreams’ ♦ Orlando Shakes

As hopeful bartender Arthur in “Boulevard of Bold Dreams,” Brent Jordan gave a perfectly crafted, well-rounded performance. Every physical move he made reflected his character’s inner thoughts and feelings. And, moving effortlessly between comedy and drama, Jordan made the most of playwright LaDarrion Williams’ words, revealing layer after layer of aspirational Arthur.

Featured Actor, Musical

Edwin Perez ♦ ‘The Secret Garden’ ♦ Central Florida Vocal Arts

In “The Secret Garden,” with equally strong acting and singing Edwin Perez blazed oh so brightly as a character that is the living embodiment of life. His Dickon was filled with the warmth of the spring sun, and his voice radiated that same delightful warmth and joy of wonder and discovery on big musical number “Wick.”

Leading Actor, Comedy

Jared-Austin Roys ♦ ‘Significant Other’ ♦ New Generation Theatrical

As perpetually single Jordan, Jared-Austin Roys is onstage for all of “Significant Other,” and in a script that asks him to be funny and tragic, sympathetic and sometimes unlikable, Roys didn’t miss a beat. Playing a character that could become emotionally exhausting, Roys kept Jordan beautifully human while landing the laughter in each awkward situation: The unrequited crush, the trying-too-hard date, the conflicting friend advice. And when raw emotion was called for, Roys delivered and how.

Leading Actor, Drama

Michael Marinaccio ♦ ‘Middletown’ ♦ Kangagirl Productions

In “Middletown,” Michael Marinaccio shone with a beautifully layered performance as John, a quirky, anxious man — whose friendly demeanor couldn’t quite hide the pain inside him. In Marinaccio’s masterful hands, John’s quirks made him more relatable instead of “othering” him, and by the time of John’s poignant final journey, Marinaccio had given him a graceful radiance that lit up the whole theater.

Leading Actor, Musical

Tymisha Harris ♦ ‘Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill’ ♦ Orlando Shakes

Completely immersed in her portrayal of Billie Holiday in “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” Tymisha Harris seemed to even manifest a different physical presence; her face carried the weight of a woman who has seen it all — and deeply felt it all. And singing with a nod to Holiday’s booze-soaked rasp, Harris radiated a resilience that shone through the hurt. The performance was a triumph for Harris, illuminating strength after strength: Her ability to connect with a crowd, the way she conjures emotion and, of course, that singing voice. Harris was named Critic’s Pick in this category in 2017 for her starring role in “Josephine.”

DIRECTING

Director, Comedy

Alexander Mrazek ♦ ‘Significant Other’ ♦ New Generation Theatrical

Alexander Mrazek assembled a perfect cast, then guided his actors with a steady hand to find every moment of comedy and every moment of emotion in “Significant Other.” Under his guidance, the play’s story seemed so heartfelt, and so realistic, that it packed a powerful punch for anyone who has had to smile through tears at a friend’s happiness while feeling their own heart break.

Director, Drama

Carolyn Howarth ♦ ‘Henry V’ ♦ Orlando Shakes

The rise of “Prince Hal” to King Henry V reached its thrilling conclusion at Orlando Shakes — emphasis on thrilling — with a riveting production led by Carolyn Howarth. She directed with a vision as clear as the play is bold. Her characters, especially Henry, were excitingly kept in motion — not just emotionally but physically, with the title character running, stalking and prowling while making the great speeches. And Howarth didn’t neglect any aspect of the play — along with the great drama and adventure, the comedy and romance sparkled to make this production a veritable banquet of theatrical delights.

Director, Musical

Shonn McCloud ♦ ‘Next to Normal’ ♦ New Generation Theatrical

Presented unconventionally at The Abbey, this “Next to Normal,” came out emotionally swinging and didn’t let up until the final note, thanks to superior work by director Shonn McCloud. He did a spectacularly thoughtful job of balancing the mood — in a musical about feeling out of balance — as he carefully made sure there were comic moments to entertain as well as tragic ones to inspire empathy. McCloud also was the Critic’s Pick in this category last year, for directing Winter Park Playhouse’s “Travelin’.”

TOP PRODUCTIONS

Comedy

‘Significant Other’ ♦ New Generation Theatrical

Joshua Harmon’s “Significant Other” exquisitely captures the flood of feelings that come in the late 20s as singletons find themselves in a whirlwind of attending friends’ showers, buying them gifts and traveling to their weddings. New Generation’s August production was equally exquisite in bringing those complicated emotions to life. These characters were making theatergoers laugh with abandon, while simultaneously beautifully breaking their hearts.

Drama

‘Henry V’ ♦ Orlando Shakes

A thrilling mix of adventure, excitement, comedy, poignancy and philosophy, this production of “Henry V” always felt in motion, not just physically but emotionally. Even in its quieter moments, the play hummed with vitality. An exhilarating ride, the January production also played perfectly into the serious side of Shakespeare’s poetic musings on mercy, responsibility, sacrifice, honor and love with the idea that time is fleeting — and we all should use our moments on earth to learn and grow.

Musical

‘Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill’ ♦ Orlando Shakes

In February, a harsh dose of reality was skillfully served up in Orlando Shakes’ “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.” Thankfully, there was powerful music to help wash down the pain of watching Billie Holiday slide toward self-destruction. With a perfect balance between pathos and humor, the show provided memorable musical interludes while also putting a riveting human face on contemporary social issues: the drug-abuse pandemic, an imperfect justice system, the history of racism that hangs over the country.

Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment.