The producer of "These Shining Lives" will be in Ottawa Wednesday seeking a site to perform the play in March or April.

The story is about life in the 1920s when thousands of young women in their teens and 20s found work with extraordinary pay and comfortable working conditions painting watch faces at Ottawa's Radium Dial and Luminous Processes companies, yet many were victims of work-related cancer.

Julie Johnson, executive director of the Ottawa Visitors Center, and Mayor Robert Eschbach will be showing the producer Ottawa Township High School and the 807 Building on La Salle Street as venue possibilities.

"The venue up there (in Chicago) is what the theatre people call a black box — a miniature theatre that's all black," Johnson said.

The West Studio in Raven Theatre Complex in Chicago holds about 60 people, Johnson said. A Wednesday through Sunday run time is being considered for Ottawa.

"I think this is going to be something really big for Ottawa," said Johnson.

Johnson has seen the play and said one of the most touching moments was at the end of play when cast members read the names of factory workers and had audience members stand to represent those who participated in the lawsuit.

"It's unbelievable," she said. "It's beautifully done."

The producer is open to allowing family members of those who worked there to submit their names to be read at the end of the production.

The play's last performance is Saturday at the West Studio in Raven Theatre Complex.