Page 26 - K12 Catalog 2020-2021

24 More One Acts

The Chest of Dreams

PERFECT FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Comedy | Cast: 3m., 4w. | Bare Stage
Run time: 45 min. | Code: C72000
Grandmother leaves Lily a large chest containing everything her friends can imagine; without
imagination, the chest appears empty. The Chest of Dreams is written for young adults to
perform for children 6 to 10 years old. It is a keenly perceptive play about self-esteem—with
a fresh point of view. It celebrates young people’s intelligence, their zest for life and their
capacity to unite in the face of danger. By Max Bush.

Clever Rachel

Comedy/Drama | Cast: 3m., 3w. | One int. set | Run time: 45 min. | Code: CQ9000
Rachel has a reputation as a clever girl who can figure out answers to the most challenging
riddles. But the traditional roles of men and women don’t allow for women to be intellectuals.
When Jacob, the smartest boy in town, challenges her to a contest of wits, somehow they
both win and find something that neither had before—a friend. By Moses Goldberg.

The Cop and the Anthem

Comedy | Cast: 5m., 8w. | Area staging | Run time: 40 min. | Code: C33000
This unexpected comedy is about a man who is having an unusual problem with the law—he
can’t get himself arrested! Each year when winter starts, Lemuel T. Thwackbusher, a resident
of New York’s park benches, arranges a trip to his favorite winter resort, the local prison.
But this year, no matter what he does, it just won’t work! Lemuel commits his humorous
misdemeanors and then pleads in the name of law and order that he should be locked up.
It’s no use. The play ends with the sort of surprise for which O. Henry is famous. Dramatized
by Marc Bucci. From the story by O. Henry.

Do Not Go Gentle

Drama | Cast: 1m., 3w., 1 boy, 1 girl. | Single set | Run time: 40 min. | Code: D72000
After her death, Lillian discovers that she cannot “move on” until the rifts between her son
and granddaughter are somehow mended. When Windsor and Kelly come home to settle her
affairs, they discover that the walls of her house have been painted with wild murals. As they
unravel secrets of the paintings, the two make astonishing discoveries about themselves ALT. VERSION
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and a special relationship between Lillian and a neighborhood child. By Suzan Zeder.

Don’t Fear the Reaper
Comedy | Cast: 4 to 7m., 3w., 3 either gender (2 nonspeaking roles). | Two int. sets
Run time: 45 min. | Code: D98000
The Grim Reaper meets with God and learns that—due to certain people ending up in the
wrong afterlife—it is time to turn over his scythe to the new Reaper, Jeremy (formerly the grim
reaper of insects). Insisting that people should be able to die with a little compassion and
sympathy, the Reaper steals the scythe and goes rogue. Cornered by God, Satan, Jeremy
and his wife, the Reaper is forced to decide whether he should go quietly or take the world
down with him. By Eddie Zipperer.