Chicago Muse Closing Gift Inaugurates New Fund At Chicago Shakespeare Theater

The Board of Directors of Chicago Muse, an organization dedicated to the development of new musical-theater projects, announced today it has ceased operations and will contribute the Corporation's assets to Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST). The contribution of more than $500,000 will establish a newly endowed fund at CST in support of the Theater's ongoing commitment to commission, develop and produce new musicals.

Chicago Muse Director Arthur Don said, "We are pleased to establish this new endowed fund at Chicago Shakespeare Theater to ensure the continuation of the mission of Chicago Muse. Chicago Shakespeare has the demonstrated commitment and possesses the infrastructure to develop great musical theater. There is no need to duplicate Chicago Shakespeare's good work and we are pleased that this gift cements their commitment and puts a positive closure on Chicago Muse."

Chicago Shakespeare Creative Producer Rick Boynton, who helms the Theater's development of new work, and is the newly elected President of the Board of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) in New York, said, "We are thrilled to accept this gift and establish an ongoing investment in the creation of new musicals that has, for more than a decade, been an important aspect of our producing work."

He added, "This generous gift energizes our work and insures that music theater talent will always have a home at Chicago Shakespeare."

Chicago Shakespeare Theater will announce inaugural projects supported by the new endowed fund this autumn and will host the spring 2013 conference of NAMT, drawing the leaders of America's top musical theatre organizations to Chicago.