Psycho Killer, Qu'est-Ce Que C'est

Opinions about author Denis Johnson are rarely lukewarm. You might adore his work or despise it, but chances are you have a strong opinion one way or the other. He is best known for Jesus' Son, a collection of loosely interweaving short stories that matter-of-factly depict a nameless junky protagonist who drifts through a marginal life of petty crime and cheap sex in a haze of dope and booze. Alison Maclean's faithful 1999 film adaptation similarly polarized audiences into those who loved the compassionate portrayal of the ne'er-do-well and those revolted by Fuckhead's seeming indifference to death and cruelty. Love him or hate him, Johnson will be in town this week to watch the production of his play Psychos Never Dream, the first collaboration between Kitchen Dog Theater and Project X Theatre. Directed by David Kennedy, Psychos follows ex-hippies living on a former commune as they shed their idealism and descend into lunacy and betrayal in pursuit of wealth. It runs Friday through April 4 at the Heldt/Hall Theater at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary, 3120 McKinney Ave. Johnson will attend Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $15 to $30. Call 214-953-1055 or visit kitchendogtheater.org.
Wednesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Starts: March 6. Continues through April 4, 2009