Charles M. Barras (1826 – March 31, 1873) was an American actor and playwright best known for writing the book inspiring the hit musical play The Black Crook.

[2] In 1861, he was manager of Pike's Opera House in Cincinnati, Ohio, when he earned acclaim for his performance of the title character in an adaptation of Molière's The Imaginary Invalid.

[2][3] Barras wrote The Black Crook (1866) as a standard melodrama, but the piece was transformed by producers Jarrett & Palmer, under an agreement with theatre manager William Wheatley, into a musical extravaganza.

The spectacular success of The Black Crook earned Barras a fortune of some $250,000 (about $5,000,000 today).

[2][4] Barras built a country house on the Mianus River in Cos Cob, Connecticut, near its railroad station and was a weekly train passenger.