Crowded Kitchen Players’ “Dogcatcher,” an original play dealing with the serious and timely topics of racism and politics, can be seen in seven videotaped episodes, 8 p.m. Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29, 30, 31 and Nov. 1 and 2 on the “Live from IceHouse Tonight” YouTube channel.

Director and playwright Ara Barlieb says “Dogcatcher” is the first theatrical entry in the series filmed at Bethlehem’s IceHouse. The run of the play about a black man running for mayor in a mostly white rural Pennsylvania town is timed to conclude before the Nov. 3 general election.

“It’s kind of hard to imagine not doing a play that addresses the consequences and disgrace of our national, endemic, persistent racism,” Barlieb says.

“Most of us don’t have the money, means, or access to engineer social change. But we can speak up. We can show our support for sweeping, long overdue change.

“And we can try to learn to be better fellow citizens. Those really are things artists can do without a lot of money and without permission.”

Crowded Kitchen Players originally planned to present “Dogcatcher” in June at the IceHouse, but the production was canceled when the group’s previous show, “The Rising,” about the Irish Rebellion of 1916, was shut down the day before opening on St. Patrick’s Day because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shutdown.

The casts continued to rehearse the plays this past summer.

When Barlieb heard the IceHouse was available for videotaping performances in September, he decided the timing was right for “Dogcatcher.”

The play recounts a month in the life of Xavier Books, a popular, successful black high school football coach, who decides he would make a fine candidate to run for mayor in his small western Pennsylvania town of Breezywood.

“Almost before he can begin campaigning, the forces of ignorance, hatred, and fear conspire to try to thwart his aspirations,” Barlieb says. “Friends quickly abandon him. Regional and national media swarm into town, alternately to laud and assail him.”

Through it all, Xavier, or “Coach,” as he prefers to be known, finds himself caught in an ever-tightening web of accusations, threats and lies.

Barlieb says the play’s title is derived from the old insult: “He couldn’t get elected dogcatcher in this town.”

William Alexander, who has appeared in Crowded Kitchen’s “The Fall of Heaven” and the acclaimed “The Softening of Her Eyes,” portrays Xavier.

The 18-person cast includes Felecia White, Florence Taylor, David Oswald, Trish Cipoletti, Pamela Wallace, Dan Ferry, Sharon Ferry, Carla Thew, Jerry Brucker, Donald M. Swan, Jr., Bruce Brown, Sarah Thomas, Dawn Daignault, Judy Evans, Nancy Welsh, Tom Epstein, Alexandra Racines and Melissa Andrews.

There was no audience during the videotaping. Actors observed social distancing and wore face masks between takes.

Each scene is prefaced by sound-bites from Ku Klux Klan leaders who were filmed by Barlieb and Pamela Wallace at a national rally in Snyder County for a 1990 documentary on bigotry.

The episodes are free, but donations to Crowded Kitchen Players or “The IceHouse Tonight” will be accepted. Episodes will be archived on YouTube.

Crowded Kitchen Players has filmed and edited “Live from IceHouse Tonight” performances, including those by George Hrab, Joey Mutis III of The Electric Farm, The Witherbees, Tuesday Muse poets, H.D. Doolittle poets and poet Matt Wolf with Winston Alozie. The series will have additional performances in October and November.

Information: www.facebook.com/icehousetonight

Touchstone Theatre “Festival UnBound” continues:

Touchstone Theatre of Bethlehem continues its live, socially-distanced “Festival UnBound 2020” with a collection of stories from around the world, presented in music and shadow puppetry.

“Tales of Hope and Resistance,” directed by Touchstone artistic director Jp Jordan, will be presented at 8 p.m. Oct. 9 in the parking lot, Touchstone Theatre, 321 E. Fourth St.. Bethlehem.

Touchstone, in collaboration with Mock Turtle Marionette Theater, presents re-tellings of traditional stories from the diverse cultural backgrounds of the Lehigh Valley, centering on themes of overcoming evil and adversity.

The evening opens with Irish balladeer Seamus Kennedy, a familiar face at Celtic Classic Fest, regaling the audience with songs and tales of Ireland’s storied past. If the show is rained out, Godfrey Daniels co-founder and singer-musician Dave Fry will entertain audiences with songs of revolution.

The second half of the evening features shadow puppet renditions of traditional stories, including those from Greece, Kenya, Japan and Brazil. Original music backing the stories is created by Jordan and musician Neil Grover.

Face masks are required.

Tickets are available for socially-distanced tables: www.touchstone.org/

Act 1 to present virtual Bard:

DeSales University Act 1’s first-ever virtual season continues with a streaming production of William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” Oct. 10 and 11. The Center Valley, Upper Saucon Township, university will present a prerecorded live production directed by Matt Pfeiffer with original music by Alex Bechtel

The link and password for the play will be active for 24 hours on the date of your choice: www.desales.edu/news-events/act-1-productions/

Playhouse third outdoor cabaret:

The Pennsylvania Playhouse presents its third outdoor cabaret, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11 in the playhouse parking lot at 390 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem.

“Scaredy Cab,” directed by Taylor Elyse Van Kooten with technical direction by Brett Oliveira, has Halloween-themed performances by Jim Vivian, Angelina Dries, Jess Weber, Matt Redline, Kim Mertz, Jerzie Ramos, Matt Kamont, Danya Kinsman, Cody Jackson, Allie Lynn, Audrey Lasicki, Mason McGowan, Brittany Pressmann, Gabe Craig, Shawn Ramey, Abby Garrigan, Christina Concilio and Ally Borgstrom.

Wear a favorite Halloween costume and compete in a costume contest. There will be a concession stand. Bathrooms are available inside the Playhouse. Attendance is limited to 70. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Face masks are required.

There is a suggested donation, payable in cash.

Information: www.paplayhouse.org/