Which playwright is associated with a primary focus on social issues through theatrical works?

The playwright associated with a primary focus on social issues through theatrical works is Bertolt Brecht. Brecht is renowned for his contributions to Epic Theatre, where he aimed to provoke critical thinking in audiences regarding societal issues. His work often addressed themes such as capitalism, class struggle, and social injustice, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own circumstances and the broader socio-political landscape.

Brecht employed techniques like the "alienation effect," which discouraged emotional identification with characters and instead prompted rational consideration of the social themes presented. His plays, including "Mother Courage and Her Children" and "The Threepenny Opera," demonstrate his commitment to using the theatre as a platform for exploring and critiquing contemporary social conditions.

In contrast, the other playwrights mentioned do not share the same level of emphasis on social commentary in their works. George Cohan was known for his contributions to American musical theatre, focusing more on entertainment. Friedrich von Schiller primarily explored issues of philosophy, morality, and humanism in a historical context, while Richard Brinsley Sheridan was celebrated for his comedic plays that satirized social institutions, but without the depth of social critique characteristic of Brecht's work.