TITLE:

Gus
by Alan David Perkins
Copyright © 1994

CLASSIFICATION:

One-act drama.

SYNOPSIS:

Ida and Lily are worried about Gus. Gus, the famous polar bear in the Central Park Zoo, has lost his mind . . . or has he?

CAST:

IDA - Strong female polar bear
LILY - Worried female polar bear

LENGTH:

10 - 15 minutes.

REQUIREMENTS:

The play takes place in the polar bear "cage" at the Central Park Zoo. Gus himself is never seen, though it is understood that he is in the pool section of the cage - a large triangular shaped pool with glass on two of the three sides - and is swimming around in the exact same pattern as he does hundreds of times a day for years and years.

Polar bear suits are not necessary, but some sort of indication may be helpful.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

When my wife and I saw Gus in the Central Park Zoo, we were amazed. We, along with the hundreds of people who stared at him for hours, thought he was the coolest thing (no pun intended). It was a few months later that the news came out that Gus was nuts, and the City of New York was paying a therapist to help him.

 

CONTACTING THE PLAYWRIGHT:

The entire script of Gus is available upon request from the playwright. No production of this play can take place without permission from the playwright.