The Omaha Community Playhouse Story: A Theatre`s Historic Triumph, Francke Warren

Mrs. Brando and Henry discovered little Dorothy McGuire, and the Playhouse had its third star. When the Playhouses 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 nations 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.