Park Center Drama is proud to present...

It is early winter in New York City. It is "when wild geese honk high in the night, and women without fur coats grow kind to their husbands." The sky has turned to a steady shade of gray. The air has become surprisingly cold, which is only made worse by the wind that sweeps furiously between the buildings. The chill is felt not only on the streets, but in Central Park, where most creatures have nestled in to a warm winter asleep. The wind blows bitterly as a singular leaf comes to rest on the nose of one of these creatures. He is Lemuel T. Thwackbusher, and Central Park is his only home...until the winter that is.

"The Cop and the Anthem" is the story of Mr. Thwackbusher, a park bench bum who has seen his share of New York winters...from the inside of a prison. Every year this vagrant (played by senior Eric Carlson) purposefully gets himself arrested so that he may have "three months of bed and board" during the coldest time of the year. Once again, Lemuel is confronted with yet another winter and begins his plot to Blackwell's Island, the local prison. This year, however, he seems to be having a bit of trouble accomplishing his yearly goal. No matter what he does, he just can't get arrested!

Along the way he runs into many oddball characters, including a battle-axe of a waitress (played by junior Brittany Rawson), a kind, yet confusing gentleman (played by sophomore Greg Rooney), an unfortunate, gritty tough kid (played by sophomore Nick Haug), a flirtatious southern belle named Florabelle (played by junior Miranda Hanson), a hard-candy coated saleslady (played by junior Ally Moravec), a plucky and resourceful old crone (played by senior Brianna Gotzh), and five cops who just don't seem to be doing their jobs (all played by junior Zach Huber). This small cast is led by Heather Klug; this being her second year directing at Park Center.

This short (about 35 minute) play is fun, fast-paced, and ends with the type of surprise that the author, O. Henry, is know for.

Competition Results
Round 1 @ Osseo High School	Fourth Place (2nd Round Qualifier)
Round 2 @ Fridley High School	Fourth Place (No medal awarded)