←Recommendations of ...and a dog named Jesus

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

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.

...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.

The Seattle of ...and a dog named Jesus is so richly and widely drawn, giving us glimpses into multiple strata of society. The characters, especially Lilith and Winnie, are complex and unique and dynamic, and that richness allows the rollicking plot to surprise us without ever feeling contrived. This is a world I could spend even more time in; the joy in the details is palpable. Beyond that, it's full of terrific design opportunities and meaty roles for every kind of actor.

A wonderfully dark dive into the underbelly of Seattle where the setting of a MegaChurch as front for the local opioid epidemic is all too hilariously plausible. And, there's a romantic comedy underneath. ...and a dog names Jesus is all at once madcap, grounded in our dark worldly realities, and promotes strong female characters. Samantha's dialogue is full of comedic gut punches and modern-day delectable cynicism. The piece is also highly theatrical and I long to see it staged - explosions (dialogue or otherwise...) and all!

A fun weaving together of the unexpected social problems that haunt Seattle underneath the facade of a liberal enclave. Cooper skillfully brings to life unique, complex characters who are trying to hold everything together despite the extreme and often absurd reality they are living in. Tackling the death of print journalism, unemployment, religious exploitation, and the opioid crisis, this play keeps the audience on their toes as it twists and develops, ultimately leading to an explosive ending.

A wild journey that subverts the romantic comedy, weaves an intriguing tale of ambition and revenge keeps raising the stakes far past the audience's imaginings. Smart, biting, and there's a dog too! Highly recommend!