The stars began to shine at the Omaha Community Playhouse when their first lead actress, Dodie Brando (Marlin Brando's mother), called Herberta Fonda (Henry Fonda's mother) to recruit young Henry to join her on the stage. Mrs. Brando and Henry discovered little Dorothy McGuire, and the Playhouse had its third star. When the Playhouse's second director, Bernard Szold, secured Grant Wood to do scenic design for the controversial play, Brigham Young, the stage was set for success. Few could forecast that the Omaha Community Playhouse would survive the Great Depression when money was scarce, World War II when men were scarce, and heated battles with censorious politicians and powerful church leaders. How did the Playhouse grow to become the nation's largest community theater? Some called it "the house that Charles Jones built," but Jones urged Omahans to pat themselves on the back for the Playhouse they built. The Omaha Community Playhouse's story is full of colorful heroes and a few villains, flashy divas and dashing men, soaring triumphs and comical mishaps. The Playhouse is entering its 90th season.
