Lasting Legacies with Bob Fischbach: “Stage greats”

For all its first 100 years, the Omaha Community Playhouse has drawn from a deep local talent pool. Actors and actresses put in months of time and hard work in rehearsals and performance, making personal sacrifices to bring stories alive on our stages. Nearly all did this without pay. Only in the past few years has OCP offered a small stipend to all its actors to defray costs like transportation, child care or lost work time.

It would be a fool’s errand to try to list the best and most memorable performances in OCP’s first century. Any such list would be personal, subjective — and impossibly long.

Still, there are some who amassed a remarkable batch of stage credits, OCP awards and plaudits from critics and audiences alike. Here are a few we hope you’ll agree earned their many standing ovations.

Mary Peckham. Starting with “George Washington Slept Here,” which opened the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed in December 1941, and ending with a fifth Fonda-McGuire award (season’s best performance) in 1983 for “Gin Game,” Mary Peckham infused dozens of parts with poise, dignity and emotional heft. Most recall her as the original Ghost of Christmas Past, a part Charles Jones wrote for her in “A Christmas Carol” She played it for 12 years. Among praised OCP roles: Annabelle in “Ladies in Retirement” (1942), Lola in “Come Back, Little Sheba” (1951), the dowager empress in “Anastasia” (1956) a terminally ill woman in “The Shadowbox” (1979) and Ethel Thayer in “On Golden Pond” (1981). She was 93 when she died in 1997.

Rudyard Norton. Fresh from Yale drama school, he played Henry Higgins opposite Dorothy Brando in “Pygmalion” in 1926, OCP’s second season. By 1972, when he won a cameo award as The Old Actor in “The Fantasticks,” Norton had played more than 40 roles at OCP and had a local theatre named after him. He won the Fonda-McGuire in the title role of “The Late George Apley” in 1946, and again in 1964 as Malvolio in “Twelfth Night.” An actor’s actor, he died in Fall 1989.

Elaine Jabenis. A local celebrity as a fashion buyer for Brandeis Department Stores, Jabenis was known for her production-heavy annual fashion shows. When the new Playhouse opened in 1959, the veteran radio and TV personality hosted a red-carpet report on live TV. At OCP she first starred as the bride in “Father of the Bride” (1952), then went on to many storied roles: a princess in “Wingless Victory” (1961), a lesbian in Sartre’s “No Exit” (1963), spinster Rosemary in “Picnic” (1967), Regina in “The Little Foxes” (1967), Alexandra Del Lago in “Sweet Bird of Youth” (1982), Eleanor of Aquitaine in “The Lion in Winter” (lead actress award, 1988), Daisy in “Driving Miss Daisy” (1996) and Henry Higgins’ mother in “My Fair Lady” (2000). Often called Omaha theatre’s grande dame, Elaine is 105. She twice won OCP’s Fonda-McGuire award.

Bill Bailey. An old pro from vaudeville, Bailey arrived on the original Playhouse stage for its last season in 1958, memorably starring in both “Inherit the Wind” and “Separate Tables.” He was in the new Playhouse’s first show, “Say Darling” (1959). He was FDR aide Louis Howe in “Sunrise at Campobello” (1960), the village patriarch in “Brigadoon” (1963), the team manager in “Damn Yankees” (1964), Pickering in “My Fair Lady” (1969), and won his third Fonda-McGuire in “The Sunshine Boys” in 1976. His last among dozens of roles was just a month before he died, “The Last Knights of the White Magnolia” in 1977.

Sue Ewing Perkins. She could belt like Ethel Merman and croon a ballad just as effectively. That vocal versatility earned her Fonda-McGuires for starring roles in “70 Girls 70” (1980), “Ballroom” (1983), “Gypsy” (1989) and “Hello, Dolly!” (1991). Her first Playhouse role was the stepmom in “The Robber Bridegroom,” which toured to Bulgaria in 1979. Succeeding Mary Peckham, she played the Ghost of Christmas Past in “A Christmas Carol” for seven years. She shared the title role in “Evita” with Camille Metoyer Moten in 1986.

Frank DeGeorge. Short, round and with a twinkle in his eye, DeGeorge had the chops to play comedy, drama and musicals with panache. Starting in 1961 with “The Wingless Victory” and ending in 2003 as a dad in “Broadway Bound” (supporting-actor award), DeGeorge wowed audiences as an irate dad in “Come Blow Your Horn” (1963), Barney in “The Last of the Red Hot Lovers” (1973), the captain in “Mister Roberts” (1980), Amos Hart in “Chicago” (1982), Nathan Detroit in “Guys & Dolls” (1984), Capt. Queeg in “The Caine Mutiny Court Martial” (1984) and many more. He won Fonda-McGuires as Oscar in “The Odd Couple” (1968), Throttlebottom in “Of Thee I Sing” (1988) and a burlesque comic in “Sugar Babies (2001). He died in 2016 at age 90.

Pam Carter. An impressive presence on and offstage, Carter was a polished actress with true versatility. She first appeared at OCP in Ionesco’s “Rhinoceros” in 1973 and capped her Playhouse run with six hilarious character roles in “Wonder of the World” (2004). Fonda-McGuire awards came for “The Royal Family” (1979), “Can-Can” (1986), and “The Sisters Rosensweig” (1997). She also won a lead award as Jean in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” (1991). Other memorable turns: an aging star in “Moon Over Buffalo” (1999) and the tile role in “Auntie Mame” (1985). She died unexpectedly in early 2005. She was 50.

Bill Hutson. The only actor to win six Fonda-McGuires, Hutson first appeared at OCP as “Richard III” in 1974. He joined the first company of the Nebraska Theatre Caravan in 1976, appearing as Starbuck in “The Rainmaker.” His first award came for “Hamlet” (1979), the same year he appeared as Arthur in “Camelot,” a show that christened OCP’s new orchestra pit. Other Fonda-McGuires came for Lt. Greenwood in “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” (1984), Mr. Green in “Visiting Mr. Green” (2004), Captain Hook in “Peter Pan” (2007), Oberon in “Shakespeare in Hollywood” (2008) and Morrie in “Tuesdays With Morrie” (2011). He was honored as well for “The Lion in Winter” (1988), “Eminent Domain” (2017), “August, Osage County” (2013) and “One Man, Two Guvnors” (2018). Now retired, Dr. Hutson was a longtime theatre professor at Creighton University.

Dawn Buller-Kirke. A perennial favorite among musical-theatre fans, Buller-Kirke combines great vocals with moving acting skills. She has notched 10 OCP awards, including Fonda-McGuires as Marian in “The Music Man” (1995) and Mother in “Ragtime” (2005). Other memorable appearances: “Guys & Dolls” (1984), “El Grande de Coca Cola” (1990), “The Boy Friend” (1997), “The Secret Garden” (1999), “Sugar Babies” (2001), “Carousel” (2002), “Beauty and the Beast” (2013) and “The Wizard of Oz” (2013). Buller-Kirke is an award-winning teacher with Omaha Public Schools.

Tom Wees. A Chicago-trained actor, Wees won an award in his first OCP role: the cruel Carlino in “Wait Until Dark” (1968). He was the original Jacob Marley in “A Christmas Carol,” playing the role four years before alternating with Al DiMauro for many more. He is best remembered for his Fonda-McGuire turn as Alfred P. Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” (1980). His was the first performance in the newly opened smaller stage (now the Howard Drew) at OCP (1986), reprising his film role as Pope John XXIII. Other memorable turns: the dentist in “Cactus Flower” (1970), Ben Franklin in “1776” (1973) and a corrupt mayor in “That Championship Season” (1975). He served on the OCP Board of Trustees. Tom Wees died in 2016 at age 81.

Angela Ankenbauer. Her forte is zany comedy, and she played it to the hilt, winning lead actress awards for “Crimes of the Heart” (1985), “Lend Me a Tenor” (1992) and “Our Country’s Good” (2001). Loyal OCP patrons may recall her memorable turns in shows like “Noises Off” (1987), “The Bad Seed” (2002), “Wonder of the World” (2005) and “The Graduate” (2006). Other standout roles: “Tom Jones” (1986), “The Mask of Moriarity” (1999) and “The Man Who Came to Dinner” (2002). In all, she did 19 shows at OCP in 23 years. She taught in Council Bluffs for 29 years, mostly at Thomas Jefferson High.

Tom Shomaker. A local attorney, the tall baritone became known for leading-man roles in OCP musicals, including the poet in “Kismet” (1977), the robber in “The Robber Bridegroom” (1979), which toured to the International Amateur Theatre Festival in Bulgaria, Billy Flynn in “Chicago” (1982), plus lead roles in “Can-Can” (1986), “Forty-Second Street” (1991), “Brigadoon” (1993) and “Funny Girl” (1993). He won the Fonda-McGuire award as Harold Hill in “The Music Man” (1995). Most recently, Tom was the narrator/officer in “Urinetown” (2007). He met his wife, dancer Lori Ecklebe, at the Playhouse.

Kathy Tyree. With a powerhouse voice and a winning personality, Tyree was a popular featured artist in bluesy musicals such as “Ella” (2014). She won lead-actress awards for “Sophisticated Ladies” (1991), “The Marvelous Wonderettes” (2003) and a stellar dramatic run as a steelworker in “Sweat” (2019). Her turn as Maybelle in “Hairspray” (2012) brought the house down nightly as she belted out a heartfelt “I Know Where I’ve Been.” As OCP’s first director of diversity, she made great inroads in drawing new talent from Omaha’s African-American community to the Playhouse stage. She directed award-winning productions of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” (2021), “The Color Purple” (2022) and “Dreamgirls” (2023). Tyree is director of strategy and community impact at The Rose.

Paul Tranisi. His beautiful baritone voice won Tranisi fans, accolades and three Fonda-McGuire awards, playing the King in “The King and I” (1983), Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” (1993) and Lord Archibald in “The Secret Garden” (1999). He was also honored as Sweeney in “Sweeney Todd” (1994) and Che in “Evita” (1986). He was a memorable Lancelot in “Camelot” (1979), Johnny Brown in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” (1981), Julio in “Paint Your Wagon” (1987), one of the Gods in “Once on This Island” (1999), Captain Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” (2003), and Father in “Ragtime” (2019). He played two featured roles in “A Man of No Importance” (2005). Paul died in May 2024 at age 68.

Judy Radcliff. Lauded for both comedic and dramatic roles, Radcliff won the Fonda-McGuire in 2009 as Mama Rose in “Gypsy.” Supporting honors came for Miss Hannibal in “Annie” (2005), the fan in “Always … Patsy Cline” (2007), Bloody Mary in “South Pacific” (2008) and Aoife in “Outside Mullingar” (2021). Other memorable turns, among many: “Boom” (2012) and “Ripcord” (2017). Judy won the Dick Boyd award for exceptional contribution to the stage in 2014.

Jim McKain. A versatile musical, comedic and dramatic actor, McKain has won nine OCP awards over 30 years, including Fonda-McGuires as Cornelius Hackl in “Hello, Dolly!” (1991) and Max Bialystock in “The Producers” (2016). Lead honors came for “A Man of No Importance” (2005) and “Hairspray” in 2012. Memorable supporting roles include Will Masters in “Bus Stop” (2005), Billis in “South Pacific” (2008) and a troubled husband in “August, Osage County” (2013). In 2014 he received the Dick Boyd Award for exceptional contribution to the stage. His long list of local directing credits include two comedy hits at OCP: “Fully Committed” (2021) and “The Mystery of Irma Vep” (2023).

Connie Lee. Her first of five lead-actress awards came for Regina in “The Little Foxes” (1999). Others: “Stepping Out” (2004), “The Graduate” (2006), “Same Time, Next Year” (2008) and “Steel Magnolias” (2011). She won honors for a memorable cameo in “One Man, Two Guvnors” (2018) as a much put-upon plant in the audience. A rare, fine turn in a musical: head of the typing pool in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (2007).

Dennis Collins. A superb comedic character actor, Collins distinguished himself as Norman in “On Golden Pond” (2011), winning a Fonda-McGuire. Lead awards came for Grandpa in “You Can’t Take It With You” (2007) and Al Lewis in “The Sunshine Boys” (2001). He won audience hearts for funny bits in shows like “Greater Tuna” (1992), “The Queen of Bingo” (1995), “Zombie Prom” (2004), “The Legend of Georgia McBride” (2022) and more. A lawyer from Norfolk, he has logged many, many miles getting to rehearsals.
Theresa Sindelar. Yet another superb comedienne, Sindelar won the Fonda-McGuire in 2000 for “Mack and Mabel.” Lead awards came for “Noises Off” (2004), “Dirty Blonde” (2005), “Ruthless! The Musical” (2006) and “Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge” (2008). Other memorable turns: “You Should Be So Lucky” (2001), “Matt and Ben” (2007, “Cocoanuts” (2008), “Shakespeare in Hollywood” (2008) and “Awesome ‘80s Prom” (2010).

Rob Baker. A popular character actor, Baker cracked up audiences and earned lead awards playing Groucho Marx in “A Day in Hollywood/A Night in Ukraine” (1993) and again in “Cocoanuts” (2008). Supporting awards came for Louie in “Lost in Yonkers” (1995), Pickering in “My Fair Lady” (2000), Senex in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (2000), Eddie in “Zombie Prom” (2004) and R.F. Simpson in “Singin’ in the Rain” (2018). Other memorable turns: “My Three Angels” (1996), “Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding” (1997), “Game Show” (2003), “Dirty Blonde” (2005) and “A Thousand Clowns” (2010). One season he did four shows (2002-03). In all, he’s appeared in 36 titles at OCP.