No: 70
Date: 9/1/1997
Name: Charles Jones
The recently retired artistic director of the Omaha Community Playhouse was lauded and kidded by friends and admirers. Charles "Charlie Jim" had been the driving force behind the Playhouse's success since 1974 when he became executive director and, of course, director extraordinaire. He also founded the Nebraska Theater Caravan and at the time served as president of the Omaha Playhouse Foundation. Jones was best known for his adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," which still delights audiences. In 1982, Jones received the Nebraska Governor's Arts Award for his outstanding contribution to theater. Jones, who started his career as an Equity actor, wrote scripts for other plays including adaptations of two Willa Cather novels. He also directed Ak-Sar-Ben coronations and was subsequently honored by the Ak-Sar-Ben Court of Honor. Jones had suffered a stroke several years before his Face unveiling, but continued to work, often from a wheelchair. Back to Top