In the second episode of "Dogcatcher," an original play being presented by Crowded Kitchen Players virtually as part of the "Live from IceHouse Tonight" series, things take a darker turn when a well-liked black coach gets pushback when he says he wants to run for mayor in the white Pennsylvania town of Breezywood.
The second part of a seven-part series streaming on Youtube Thursdays, picks up where the first episode left off with coach Xavier Books in a meeting at city hall with the mayor and his cronies, who want to find someone to run for mayor in the upcoming election.
At first Xavier (William Alexander) thinks they want him to run, as they gushingly tout his many accomplishments as coach, but it turns out they just want him to run the search committee since he knows all the young people in town. 
Alexander gives a strong performance as he skillfully conveys both the burgeoning excitement Xavier feels when he thinks the others want him to run, and the dismayed disappointment when he realizes they dont.
Bolstered by his supportive wife Theresa, who also is white, Xaver decides he is his own "top choice" for mayor and goes to meet with Mayor Phelps (David Oswald) at the local diner, to give him the news.
However, a nervous Xavier is haunted by flashbacks of his granny, played with harsh pragmatism by Florence Taylor, who warns him to be "humble" and "be prepared to be humiliated" when around white people. And then when he meets with Phelps, the attentions of the grating waitress Angie, played with over-solicitiousness by Sarah Thomas, add an awkward vibe to the meeting.
And Phelps reaction to he news is not what Xavier had hoped for.
Oswald aptly displays the undercurrent of racism in the mayors response in his mercurial transformation from glad-handing and jovial to upset and angry that Xavier is ungrateful for all Phelps has done for him.
Alexanders abashed Xavier backs off until he talks to Theresa, played with implacable support by Carla Hadley. Theresa convinces him running for mayor is what he needs to do as the episode ends.
Director Ara Barlieb continues to use Bethlehems Icehouse, where the play is filmed, to good advantage using different parts of the building to open up the scenes. Adding to the overall filmed feel, there are establishing shots of the city hall, overview of the town and a diner ontage. Sound effects also add a richness to the experience.
Short clips from Klu Klux Klan leaders filmed in 1990 at a national rally in Snyder County continue to preface scenes. As the clips blend into scenes of townfolk mingling at a party using language similar to Klu Klux Klan comments, it creates a jarring context of the community in which Xavier lives.
The remaining episodes will be streamed Thursday evenings at 8 p.m. Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, 12, 19 and 26 on both the Live from IceHouse Tonight's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
The episodes are free, but donations to Crowded Kitchen Players or The IceHouse Tonight will be gratefully accepted.
Episodes will be archived on Youtube and Facebook pages after the premiere.
For information, go to www.facebook.com/icehousetonight.