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The Cop and the Anthem

The Cop and the Anthem

Dramatized by Marc Bucci. From the story by O. Henry.

Product Code: C33000

One-act Play

Comedy

Cast size: 5m., 8w.


Livestream and Record & Stream Rights Available


Rights and availability

This title can be licensed and sold throughout the World.

* Please note the royalty rate listed is the minimum royalty rate per performance. The actual royalty rate will be determined upon completion of a royalty application.

$10.95
In Stock

Min. Royalty Rate: $55.00/perf

Synopsis

O. Henry's wit and surprise are brightly displayed in this unexpected comedy 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.

Notes

Livestream and Record & Stream Rights Available

Details

  • Status In stock
  • Type of Show One-act Play
  • Product Code C33000
  • Minimum Cast Size 13
  • Pages of Dialogue 27
  • Min. Royalty Rate $55.00/perf
  • Approx. Run Time 40 min
  • Staging Area staging.

Categories

  • Target Audience Middle School | High School | Family (all ages)
  • Performing Group High School | College Theatre
  • Genre Comedy
  • ISBN(13) 9780871295132

* Please note the royalty rate listed is the minimum royalty rate per performance. The actual royalty rate will be determined upon completion of a royalty application.

Customer Reviews

The Cop and the Anthem is a delightful play that show cases a very strong male for the lead role that is committed to learning many lines. The lead role carries the play.

Lorie Harkins, One Act Play, Paradise, Texas

This is a perfect show to spotlight the talents of a single male actor who can handle physical comedy. Easy to produce and stage.

Marnie Herzfeld, Conestoga High School, Berwyn, PA

A script that allows many actors to create clever and amusing characters. One strong actor can hold together this whole cast of stock characters in what might be considered a morality play.

Susan Kahn, Norwell High School, Ossian, Ind.

A challenging show that combines the poignant with the silly, the touching with the melodramatic.

John Henningsgaard, La Porte School, La Porte, Minn.

Hints, Tips, and Tricks

Make sure you have a very strong male for the lead.

Lorie Harkins, One Act Play, Paradise, Texas

We used simple scenery and props with a visible stage crew that made it possible to move the play along quickly.

Allen Jerdee, Ames High School, Ames, Iowa

Production Map

Location City State Opens Closes
Fort Elliott School Briscoe TX 03/18/2025 03/31/2025