Denver Center Theatre Company, World Premiere - Winter, 2006

"Playwright Lemon needs only his pen to disarm the audience with pointed one-liners and thoughtful existential observations.  Lemon has hit upon a genre that--as irreverent and at times as profane as rap, yet filled with pertinent issues and rebellious politics--will bring them (Gen-X) into the theater for cultural conversation.  After readings at the Southern Writers Project, Hartford Stage and Steppenwolf Theater, the world-premiere version of

"Jesus Hates Me is a character study, a comedy, a dramatic statement, a fleeting discourse on religion, an exploration of belief, a brief treatise on predestination versus self-determination and a whole lot of fun.  It is alive as few plays are, and it works on both emotional and intellectual levels."  Gary Zeidner, Centerstage, Boulder Weekly

"...an exquisite comedy, featuring dark black lines of intriguing thought, with some of the funniest lines ever to appear on stage.  Lemon has done an amazing piece of work supplying laughable lines toppling over each other, at the same time providing depth and quality and food for thought buried within the story line."  Holly Bartges, Colorado Back Stage

            Denver Center Theatre Company, World Premiere - Winter, 2006

                         Kitchen Dog Theater, Texas Premiere - Fall, 2006

"You expect a play titled Jesus Hates Me to be at least mildly outrageous, and Kitchen Dog Theater doesn't disappoint.  This risk-taking troupe's Texas premiere of Wayne Lemon's devoutly irreverent comedy pushes all manner of buttons. A- "  Perry Stewart, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"...the lasting impression of the play is pathos, as the audience helplessly watches the characters make a mess of their lives, longing for but not daring to hope for relief, crying out for mercy, compassion, acceptance and forgiveness without actually repenting, and projecting their self-loathing and guilt onto the only one who can rescue them.  The Denver Center Theatre company should be commended for giving Lemon a chance to vent, as he speaks for many who are struggling to find meaning in their lives."  Fr. Patrick Dorn, Colorado Christian Drama Review

"With "Jesus Hates Me," Denver Center artistic director Kent Thompson continues his bold new vision for the company.  The irreverent attitude and immediate appeal of this piece will surely attract a new, younger caste of theater lovers hooked by the humor and impressed by its thematic depths." Metrospective

"...black and bold new comedy...at times howlingly funny and unapologetically tasteless."  John Moore, The Denver Post

"...provocative...exceptionally well acted, impressively physical and ultimately about something more than finding the laugh lines."  Chris Vognar, The Dallas Morning News

"...audiences will embrace Jesus Hates Me."  Drew Wilson, Out Front Colorado

         Kitchen Dog Theater, Texas Premiere - Fall, 2006

Sound design by Emily Young/Kitchen Dog Theater

                  Kitchen Dog Theater, Texas Premiere - Fall, 2006