In the fifth episode of "Dogcatcher," an original play being presented by Crowded Kitchen Players virtually as part of the "Live from IceHouse Tonight" series, an eager press descends on the little town of Breezywood, PA, to cover high school football coach Xavier Books, who is both taking his football team to the state finals for the first time, and running to be the first black mayor in the predominantly white town.The episode is the fifth of a seven-part series streaming on Youtube Thursdays.
William Alexander continues to stand out as the headstrong coach who discover there is far more racism in his town than he ever imagined as he doggedly pushes forward with his write-in campaign for mayor. 
Trish Cipoletti is good as the aggressive, but straight-shooting TV new reporter Marta Eichenwald, who sees her big story in both the "black underdog coach" and "black underdog candidate," as she and her camera relentlessly shadow a still somewhat reluctant Books who is finding most of the town dont support his candidacy.
Stakes get higher as a televised debate between Books and on-ballot candidates Dick Phelps and Louise Matthews is planned.
Eichenwald tells Books the debate is because of him and "nobody cares about your opponents," but warns it "could destroy your life."
At the diner, Books meets with the leaders of Breezywood, who urge him to withdraw as David Oswalds too-chummy mayor Phelps plies him with multiple beers.
There also is a veiled threat from Pam Wallaces icy school superintendent s the group tries, unsuccessfully to bribe Books to withdraw.
At the episodes close, Books is pulled over by a police officer as soon as he leaves the diner.
Director Ara Barlieb continues to use Books speaking directly to the audience to express his inner thoughts. And he finds new areas of Bethlehems Icehouse at which the play is filmed, to use to give scenes variety. Also well-used are establishing exterior shots.
Short clips from Klu Klux Klan leaders filmed at a national rally in Snyder County for a 1990 documentary on bigotry, reveal the chilling fact that four United States presidents were members of the KKK.
The remaining episodes will be streamed Thursday evenings at 8 p.m. December 3 and 10 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.