Regular performances of the dramatic works of one of the twentieth century's most thoughtful writers and social critics — and attendance is free? What's not to like? It's ShawChicago.

This is really just a quick note to plug the best Chicago theater company (well, almost) that you've never heard of. It's ShawChicago, and their work is well worth a trip to the Ruth Page Center for the Arts (at 1016 N Dearborn St, Chicago) — and would be worth it even if performances weren't free.

The reason I say they're "almost" a theater company is that ShawChicago does concert readings only. A group of professional actors (indeed, all card-carrying Actors' Equity Association members) delivers dramatic readings, without set, costumes, or stage business, of the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries.

Concert readings work well for Shaw, because his work is so prosy (in a good way?) that the plays often come down to sparkling dialogues and weighty soliloquys anyway — so why not just cut out the extras and let the language and delivery alone speak? ShawChicago seems to be doing just that.

Ann and I were lucky to be invited to today's performance of Mrs. Warren's Profession by my parents, who themselves (though Chicago theater-goers of decades' standing) only recently heard of the ten-year-old company's work. We'll all look forward to the next production. Maybe we'll see you there?

first published Jan 23, 2005