Actor Michael Shannon Watches Oscars From Chicago Dive Bar

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Actor Michael Shannon was sitting in a dive bar on Chicago's North Side, sipping a beer when the moment arrived.

As memorialized on Twitter by Bruce Elliott, the owner of the Old Town Ale House, Shannon was watching on TV as the "Shape Of Water" won the Oscar for Best Picture.

Shannon certainly could have been there. He played a big part, as government bad guy, Richard Strickland, in the film.

Rather, he was in Chicago, sitting in his puffy winter coat, with the TV sound down, the jukebox up, just under a sign promoting $5 shots of Malort.

The reason he was in Chicago and not Hollywood?

Work.

Shannon was directing a production of Brett Neveu's "Traitor" at A Red Orchid Theater on Wells Street, just around the corner from the bar.

The play closed on Sunday night.