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ShawChicago, a non-profit theater company, was first created in 1994 as a program of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs to present the plays of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries in concert readings at the Chicago Cultural Center. The performances were presented free to the public. The Executive Producer of the series was Lois Weisberg, Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the City of Chicago, and the Artistic Director was Andrew Callis. Janet Carl Smith, Deputy Director of Cultural Affairs was the Producer, and Deborah Davis was Managing Director. ShawChicago's first production was The Doctor's Dilemma, presented in response to the controversy about health care during the first Clinton administration. The production deftly illustrated the fact that Shaw was always years ahead of his time in matters political and human.

During the next two seasons, ShawChicago presented productions of The Apple Cart, Acts I and V of Back to Methusaleh, Getting Married, Misalliance, Heartbreak House, and Sean O'Casey's I Knock at the Door.

Robert Scogin became Artistic Director in 1996, and Claire Geall assumed the duties of Producer. Weisberg remained Executive Producer and Deborah Davis Managing Director.

Beginning with the 2000-2001 season, ShawChicago established itself as an independent non-profit theater company, still presenting its productions free to the public. In January 2003, ShawChicago became the resident theater company at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts located at 1016 N. Dearborn. Tony Courier became Managing Director in 2003.

ShawChicago's Production History

2007-2008
Getting Married by Bernard Shaw
November 17 - December 10, 2007
Ruth Page Center for the Arts

The Cassilis Engagement by St. John Hankin
January 12 - February 2, 2008
Ruth Page Center for the Arts

What Every Woman Knows by James Barrie
April 12 - May 3, 2008
Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theatre

2006-2007
You Never Can Tell by Bernard Shaw
October 14 - November 6, 2007
Ruth Page Center for the Arts

Caesar and Cleopatra by Bernard Shaw
April 14 - May 7, 2007
Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

2005-2006
Major Barbara by Bernard Shaw
October 15 - November 12, 2005 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Dan Juan in Hell by Bernard Shaw
January 14 - February 6, 2006 Ruth Page Center for the Arts

The Devil's Disciple by Bernard Shaw
March 16 - April 15, 2006 Ruth Page Center for the Arts

2004-2005
Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw
November 6-29, 2004 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Mrs. Warren’s Profession by Bernard Shaw
January 8-31, 2005 Ruth Page Center for the Arts

The Man of Destiny by Bernard Shaw and
The Old Lady Shows Her Medals by J. M. Barrie
May 7-30, 2005 Ruth Page Center for the Arts

2003-2004
On The Rocks by Bernard Shaw
November 2 – 24, 2003 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Fanny's First Play by Bernard Shaw
January 3 - 26, 2004 Ruth Page Center for the Arts

The Lady From the Sea by Henrik Ibsen,
adapted by Robert Scogin
April 17 – May 10, 2004 Ruth Page Center for the Arts

2002-2003
Too True to be Good by Bernard Shaw
November 2 – 25, 2002 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Jitta’s Atonement by Siegfried Trebitsch. Translated/adapted by Bernard Shaw
January 4 – 27, 2003 Ruth Page Center for the Arts

The Philanderer by Bernard Shaw
April 26 – May 19, 2003 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

2001-2002
Widowers’ Houses by Bernard Shaw
November 3 – 26, 2001 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Candida by Bernard Shaw
January 5 – 28, 2002 First Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church

Annajanska the Bolshevik Empress and
Great Catherine by Bernard Shaw
April 27 – May 18, 2002 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

2000-2001
Man and Superman by Bernard Shaw
November 4 - 27, 2000 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Don Juan in Hell by Bernard Shaw
Jan. 6 – 22, 2001 Chicago Cultural Center, Storefront Theater

The Millionairess by Bernard Shaw
Feb. 2 – Mar. 10, 2001 Next Theater, CoProduction with Next Theater

Arms and the Man by Bernard Shaw
Apr. 28 – May 9, 2001 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

1999-2000
Back To Methuselah by Bernard Shaw
November 18 – 23, 1999 Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater

In Good King Charles’s Golden Days by Bernard Shaw
Jan. 22 – Feb. 14, 2000 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Geneva by Bernard Shaw
Apr. 15 – May 8, 2000 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

1998-1999
The Devil’s Disciple by Bernard Shaw
October 24 – November 16, 1998 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde
January 23 – February 14, 1999 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Kuvayi Milliye by Nazim Hikmet
March 6 – 15, 1999 Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater

You Never Can Tell by Bernard Shaw
April 17 – May 10, 1999 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

1997-1998
The Millionairess by Bernard Shaw
October 25 – November 17, 1997 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Mrs. Warren’s Profession by Bernard Shaw
January 31 – February 23, 1998 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Captain Brassbound’s Conversion by Bernard Shaw
April 25 – May 18, 1998 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

1996-1997
Androcles and the Lion by Bernard Shaw
October 26 – November 18, 1996 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

The Simpleton of the Unexpected Isles by Bernard Shaw
January 5 – 13, 1997 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

The Adventures of the Black Girl in her Search for God by Bernard Shaw
January 19 – 27, 1997 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Major Barbara by Bernard Shaw
April 27 – May 19, 1997 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

1995-1996
Misalliance by Bernard Shaw
September 17 – October 8, 1995 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Back to Methuselah: Act I – In The Beginning
and Act V – As Far As Thought Can Reach by Bernard Shaw
March 12 – 27, 1995 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Getting Married by Bernard Shaw
May 14 – June 12, 1995 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

John Bull’s Other Island by Bernard Shaw
January 7 –14, 1996 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

I Knock At The Door by Sean O’Casey
January 21 – 29, 1996 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

Heartbreak House by Bernard Shaw
May 5 – June 3, 1996 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

1994-1995
The Apple Cart by Bernard Shaw
September 11 – 26, 1994 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

1993-1994
The Doctor’s Dilemma by Bernard Shaw
March 11-27, 1994 Chicago Cultural Center, Studio Theater

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