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Boston's Best Local Actors

Boston's theater scene is rife with excellent performers. Local arts colleges, numerous theaters and theater companies attract actors from across the country and even around the world. While it is certain that the area produces a lot of Hollywood talent, some of the best actors in and around Boston grace the stage more than the screen. These elitists are in numerous productions across Boston and many perform in multiple productions every year.
Richard Snee
(credit: actorsshakespeareproject.org)

Richard Snee
actorsshakespeareproject.org

Richard Snee is a celebrated actor in Boston who is often spouting Shakespeare or bursting with comedy in a showing of "Shear Madness." He has been a staple of the Boston theater scene for decades. Richard Snee is a longtime member of the Actors' Shakespeare Project, which strives to bring Shakespeare to the community in a powerful way. Keep track of his continuing career to see his talent in action.

Johanna Day
(credit: Will Ragozzino/Getty Images)

Johanna Day
Huntington Theatre Company
264 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 266-7900
huntingtontheatre.org

Johanna Day is a Tony Award nominated actress who can often be seen gracing Huntington Theater productions. However, it can hardly be said that she stays still, as Johanna performs all around the Bay State area. She recently played Veronica Novak in a Huntington Theater production of "God of Carnage." During the performance, she broke her hand whilst delivering an entirely real slap. However, her performance received great reviews and she continued to play the part once doctors set her hand.

Related: Boston Spring Comedy Preview

Patrick Shea
(credit: patrickshea.com)

Patrick Shea
Charles Playhouse
74 Warrenton St
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 426-6912
boston-theater.com

If nothing else, Patrick Shea's involvement with the longest-running production in Boston -- "Shear Madness" -- is enough to make him one of the best actors from the area. "Shear Madness" is so popular that it has been running for more than 30 years. This is unprecedented with smalle shows, but Patrick Shea has been making history with this production since shortly after its inception. Purchase tickets here to see him as Tony Whitcomb in "Shear Madness" at the Charles Playhouse.

Varla Jean Merman
(credit: varlaonline.com)

Jeffery Roberson
varlaonline.com

Jeffery Roberson is the creator of the drag character Varla Jean Merman. His performances in and around Massachusetts are noteworthy, fun and exuberant. There is a reason why locals consider him the queen of Provincetown drag. He sneaks away from P-town every now and then to do a performance in Boston, but will be performing there through the 2012 summer season. Just this past fall, he played a nun in "The Divine Sister" with the SpeakEasy Stage Company.

Marianna Bassham
(credit: actorsshakespeareproject.org)

Marianna Bassham
actorsshakespeareproject.org

Marianna Bassham is an award-winning actress who hops around town with the Actors' Shakespeare Porject. She tends to jump from stage to stage around Boston, making appearances in a range of play genres. She received particular praise for her role as Una in "Blackbird." However, she does a great deal of Shakespeare and is typically with the rest of the resident Actors' Shakespeare Project denizens.

Related: Boston Spring Theater Preview

Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


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