This color photograph from the late 1970s or early 1980s depicts the Cratchit family from the Omaha Community Playhouse’s production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The actors are gathered together in the center of the photograph. The character of Bob Cratchit is played by Rob Hansen. The character of Mrs. Cratchit is played by Marianne Young. The actors playing the five Cratchit children are unidentified. The child sitting on Bob Cratchit’s knee is Tiny Tim. Aside from the actors the stage is mostly empty. In the background is a fake wall with a door and a window.
The Omaha Community Playhouse put on its first production of “A Christmas Carol” in 1976. The Charles Dickens novella was adapted for the stage by Charles Jones, one of the Playhouse’s directors. Marianne Young debuted as Mrs. Cratchit in 1977. In 2001, she gave up the role of Mrs. Cratchit in favor of the role of Mrs. Fezziwig. Rob Hansen debuted as Bob Cratchit in 1978, played the part for a handful of years, and then did not return to the role until 1994. In 2001, Hansen, like Young, gave up his role as a Cratchit in favor of another part in the play, namely the character of Fred.
