Mikko Nissinen and Valerie Wilder playing with the Boston public school children in Boston Ballet's Citydance program

Marco Evangelista playing soccer at I Soci.

> THEATER AND PERFORMING ARTS

Robert Woodruff and Bob Brustein

American Repertory Theatre

Brustein, the ART’s founding director and creative consultant, is one of the top names in American theater. He has written 13 books on theater, overseen more than 200 high-profile productions, co-founded both Yale Repertory and the ART, and headed the Yale Drama School; currently, he serves as a professor of English at Harvard and as a drama critic for the New Republic. Woodruff, the ART’s artistic director, is one of the most innovative and imaginative directors working today. His collaborations with a then-relatively unknown Sam Shepard in the mid ’70s helped make the careers of both men. Woodruff also currently teaches directing and acting at Columbia University.

Tony McLean

Broadway in Boston

This is a classic local-boy-makes-good story. McLean, a Dorchester native and BU grad, replaced William Connor as president of Broadway in Boston (a subsidiary of Clear Channel) in 2002.

Chuck Stevens and Zan Stevens

Stevens Advertising

Stevens Advertising is one of the true unsung, behind-the-scenes players in the local theater world, representing such clients as the Wang Theatre, the Huntington Theatre, the ART, and Broadway in Boston. This firm is a vital component of the larger equation.

Nicholas Martin

Huntington Theatre Company

In his role as the Huntington’s Norma Jean Calderwood Artistic Director, Martin has helped establish the company’s reputation as a producer of world-class theater. He teaches at BU, and has directed productions everywhere from Broadway to the Williamstown Theatre Festival to Lincoln Center.

Janice Mancini del Sesto

Boston Lyric Opera

Fifteen and counting: that’s where our own BLO ranks among the largest opera companies in the country. As a savvy administrator with a strong background in performance, general director del Sesto is captaining a ship that’s sailing toward great success.

Martha Jones

FleetBoston Celebrity Series

While the Celebrity Series has enjoyed immense success since its inception in the late 1930s, the organization has truly flourished under the leadership of Jones, who took the reins as executive director in 1996.

Catherine Peterson

ArtsBoston

ArtsBoston is an umbrella organization that counts BosTix, ArtsTravel, and ArtsMail among its programs. Executive director Peterson has helped the company grow into a regional force in the fight for accessible theater.

Keith Lockhart and James Levine

Boston Pops and Boston Symphony Orchestra

When he succeeded John Williams as conductor of the Boston Pops in 1995 (at the ripe old age of 35), Lockhart became only the third man to lead the Pops since Arthur Fiedler’s reign began in 1930 — now, that’s tradition. During his tenure, Lockhart has conducted over 500 concerts, including several international tours, numerous television shows, and a pre-game segment at Super Bowl XXXVI. Levine, the music director of the BSO, is best known for his association with the Metropolitan Opera (where he has conducted over 2000 performances since 1971), which continues to this day.

Josiah Spaulding and David F. D’Alessandro

Wang Theatre

It may be hard to envision now, but not so long ago, the Wang Theatre was run-down and losing money. CEO and president Spaulding was the man who oversaw the Wang’s transformation into the gorgeous, profitable enterprise it has become. Naturally, this couldn’t have happened without the support of the Wang’s Board of Trustees, which D’Alessandro chairs.

Libbie Shufro

Boston Center for the Arts

As president and CEO of the BCA, Shufro is the woman behind this organization’s strong desire to push local arts — both visual and performing — to new levels of excellence and accessibility.

José Mateo

José Mateo Ballet Theatre

Long known as the " other " ballet in town, Mateo’s company, now charmingly housed in Harvard Square’s Sanctuary Theatre, is currently in its 18th season of inspired productions. We expect Mateo to flourish for at least another 18 years.

Aliza Shapiro

Truth Serum Productions

Truth Serum Productions holds the kind of events that spank stodgy old Boston firmly in the posterior with their edgy, often gender-bending creativity. Shapiro, along with her drag alter-ego Heywood Wakefield, makes it happen.

Jane Lanouette and Gerry Feldman

Allied Advertising

Allied Advertising is an agency that quietly has an immense impact on the film industry. Although Allied is an international corporation, its local office, led by Lanouette and Feldman, coordinates publicity and advertising for the bulk of films that come to local cinemas.

Robin Dawson

Massachusetts Film Bureau

As executive director of the Massachusetts Film Bureau (formerly the Massachusetts Film Office, before the Commonwealth cut its funding), Dawson is in charge of enticing film, television, music-video, commercial, and documentary productions into Massachusetts. Once the crews arrive, the bureau works with them in a producer’s capacity. When you see film stars out at parties and benefits, chances are that Dawson had a hand in it.

Valerie Wilder and Mikko Nissinen

Boston Ballet

Artistic director Nissinen and executive director Wilder work together to bring world-class ballet to Boston. Nissinen, a native of Finland, is known throughout the dance world as an open-minded and inspirational teacher and communicator. Wilder has had a long career, first as a dancer and then as an advocate and manager for dance artists. Together, they are the driving force behind one of Boston’s most beloved cultural institutions.

> LIQUOR

Harvey Allen, M.S. Walker.

Pat McCoy and Steve Villani, Anheuser-Busch.

Laura Smith, Miller Brewing Company.

Bill and Tim Burke, Jim Merrill, and Mike Braccia, Burke Distributing.

Steffani Scheurich, Brown-Forman.

Jim Koch, Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams).

Rich Doyle, Harpoon.

Rhonda Kallman, Edison Light Beer.

Paul Canavan, United Liquors.

Alex Steppacher, Future Brands.

Christine Smith, Coors Brewing Company.

Louanne Murad, Bacardi USA.

Doug Epstein, Horizon Beverage.

Steve Ballard, Ketel One/Nolet Spirits USA.

Chris Higgins and Carol Francolini, Labatt USA.

Al Rand and Catherine Stanton Rooney, Allied Domecq.

Steve Cassetta, Diageo.

Lisa Conti, Skyy Vodka.

> SALON, FASHION, RETAIL, MISC.

Mario Russo

Mario Russo Salons

Russo is a successful salon owner, yes, but he is also a man-about-town and a great supporter of the arts. He is, in a word, a player.

Patrick McGinley

Vidal Sassoon Salon

As creative director of Vidal Sassoon in Boston, McGinley is the caretaker of a very carefully maintained aesthetic. He is known throughout the Northeast as a genius with hair.

Debi Greenberg

Louis Boston

As president and CEO of what is perhaps Boston’s most unique and locally flavored upscale clothing store, Greenberg is the keeper of the family torch — the business has been in her family for over 100 years. Under her leadership, the store’s women’s collection has blossomed, and its hip quotient has quadrupled.

Alan Bilzerian

Alan Bilzerian

This internationally renowned clothier has been influencing the way Bostonians dress for decades. To this day, his store practically defines Newbury Street.

Gretchen Monahan

Grettacole, GrettaLuxe, and G Spa

What started as a salon has erupted into a beauty empire. With three Grettacole salon and day spas; a GrettaLuxe fashion boutique; and the unique, one-stop-meets-all-beauty-needs G Spa salon, day spa, and mini-boutique, Monahan is a true player in the beauty world.

Rick Garofalo

Repertoire and Kartell

As the owner of Repertoire and co-owner of Kartell, Garofalo is nothing if not a style-maker in Boston (and New York, where there is another Repertoire location) — a city, some would say, that is desperately in need of his expertise.

William George

James Joseph Salon

With a move into a swank new space last year, George enabled James Joseph Salon to fulfill its potential as one of the top salons in the area. He’s also the kind of guy who is seen out at all the right parties.

Scott Solombrino

Dav El Chauffeured Transportation Network

The world’s largest private limousine company, Dav El is headquarted in Chelsea and headed by Solombrino. Dav El provides transportation for everyone from heads of state to rock stars to many, many of the people on this list — in that regard, Solombrino is a player’s player.

Marc Harris

Ecocentrix Salons

To survive on the first block of Newbury for over a dozen years is proof positive that you know what you are doing, and Harris certainly does. With such respected stylists as Jeremy Dellaria and Janet Warner in his stable, it’s obvious that Harris knows talent when he sees it.

Michelle Blain

Biyoshi Salon

Blain’s Biyoshi Salon is a funky, fashion-forward salon located in (gasp!) Allston. Her shop’s location notwithstanding, Blain’s work for film, television, and the runway have heightened the salon’s reputation considerably. If you think Blain is all hipster with no heart, think again: Biyoshi is the American Cancer Society’s largest wig bank.

Lana Barakat

Lazuli Jewelry

Barakat’s Lazuli Jewelry store features her own funky, playful designs alongside other out-of-the-ordinary expressive baubles. Seemingly tireless on the Boston social scene, Barakat is also actively involved with many charities.

Marie Galvin

GALVIN-ized Headwear

Who knew a milliner could be so fabulous? Galvin’s award-winning " roofing for your head " has made true believers out of fashionistas worldwide. Galvin is also a steady and festive presence on the Boston social scene.

Daniel F. Pokaski

City of Boston

As chair of Boston’s Licensing Board, Pokaski plays an instrumental role in the governing of liquor licenses. As such, his influence on local nightlife is immense.

Alan Eisner

Massachusetts Hospitality Association

Eisner is executive director of the MHA, an umbrella organization of restaurant and nightclub owners. Eisner’s connections (a former editor-in-chief of the Boston Herald, he works closely with George Regan) make him one of the most connected players in the nightlife industry.

Marco Evangelista

I Soci Salon and Salon Soca

Evangelista has worked hard to bring his salons, I Soci and Soca, into the upper eschelon of the local hair and beauty industry. And he looks good making you look good.