...and a dog named Jesus

by Samantha Cooper

Lilith is the pastor of Seattle megachurch Passionate Grace. Well, okay, the church is actually a front for a drug running and rave business. A business which is going incredibly well…until the local alt-rag catches wind of “misuse of church funds” and sends a bumbling reporter to investigate. When the investigation turns to romance and the bottom falls out of the church, Lilith’s real motivations send her...

Lilith is the pastor of Seattle megachurch Passionate Grace. Well, okay, the church is actually a front for a drug running and rave business. A business which is going incredibly well…until the local alt-rag catches wind of “misuse of church funds” and sends a bumbling reporter to investigate. When the investigation turns to romance and the bottom falls out of the church, Lilith’s real motivations send her kingdom hurtling towards an explosive end. …a dog named Jesus is part drug thriller, part romcom, and part dark com(edy) that is ultimately exploring the connections between faith, home, and the destructive effects of the modern opioid crisis.

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...and a dog named Jesus

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: ...and a dog named Jesus by Samantha Cooper
    “

    An explosive and incredibly funny look into a "Church" operation as things spiral out of control! Well done.

    An explosive and incredibly funny look into a "Church" operation as things spiral out of control! Well done.

    ”
  • Alix Sobler: ...and a dog named Jesus by Samantha Cooper
    “

    Ranging from slapstick comedy, to mystery, to rom com, ...and a dog named Jesus manages to strike a truly original tone. It's embodied by truly unique characters, whose motives and desires are often not obvious, but are somehow always believable. It paints a pictures of a Seattle that is not quite in our world, but in an adjacent reality that is somehow even more real. Its effortless inclusion of non-traditional clergy and non-binary characters is just one of the ways this play both defies expectations, and shows us the world as it really is.

    Ranging from slapstick comedy, to mystery, to rom com, ...and a dog named Jesus manages to strike a truly original tone. It's embodied by truly unique characters, whose motives and desires are often not obvious, but are somehow always believable. It paints a pictures of a Seattle that is not quite in our world, but in an adjacent reality that is somehow even more real. Its effortless inclusion of non-traditional clergy and non-binary characters is just one of the ways this play both defies expectations, and shows us the world as it really is.

    ”
  • Stephen Foglia: ...and a dog named Jesus by Samantha Cooper
    “

    ...and a a dog named Jesus is a twisted, quietly radical romcom that moves breathlessly from meet-cute to explosive social critique. Samantha Cooper writes with color and wit, neither hiding the darkness nor allowing it to overshadow the fun of her genre-mixing and the vividness of her characters. A bold blast of a play with terrific roles for female, male, and non-binary actors.

    ...and a a dog named Jesus is a twisted, quietly radical romcom that moves breathlessly from meet-cute to explosive social critique. Samantha Cooper writes with color and wit, neither hiding the darkness nor allowing it to overshadow the fun of her genre-mixing and the vividness of her characters. A bold blast of a play with terrific roles for female, male, and non-binary actors.

    ”
View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

Voices can be played by members of the cast or pre-recorded.

Optional: Ensemble – to fill out parties, the diner, the church, the dumb show, the world
  • Wait Person
    just trying to make it through the day, dudes
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Lilith
    “Pastor” of Passionate Grace Church
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Ruth
    Lilith’s #2
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
  • Larry
    a pity hire that turns out to be more (trouble than it’s worth)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
  • Winnie
    reporter for Seatown Weekly
    they/them
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • Bec
    fellow reporter and Winnie’s best friend
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
  • Arnold
    Editor of Seatown Weekly
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
  • Chuck
    not a great person but is a fast “runner”
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s