Papers of Marguerite and Reta Shaw

1954-1970

Marguerite Shaw, a character actress from South Paris, Maine, made her professional debut as Mabel in THE PAJAMA GAME (1955) and made her Broadway debut replacing her sister, Reta, in that role. She repeated this role on national tour and in various productions, including a tour of South Africa. She appeared again on Broadway as Nellie Burns in TENDERLOIN (1960) and also appeared in summer stock, regional theater and television commercials. Marguerite Shaw, a graduate of Bates College with a Masters degree from Columbia University, was a dean at American University at the time of her professional debut. She was later a professor at Sarah Lawrence College.

Reta Shaw, the older sister of Marguerite and also a character actress from South Paris, Maine, attended acting school after high school and had her first major appearance with the national touring company of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. She was on Broadway in IT TAKES TWO, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, PICNIC and THE PAJAMA GAME. Her films include THE PAJAMA GAME, MARY POPPINS, POLLYANNA and BACHELOR IN PARADISE. Her best known roles were on television as the housekeeper in THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR and Aunt Lil in MR. PEEPERS.