Local Playwright Lottie Kimbrough Bringing ‘I Hate to Love You’ to Arts Center
Playwright Lottie Kimbrough, through the Kimbrough Theatre Group, is bringing her latest production, I Hate to Love You, to the Hardeman County Arts Center for two performances on Saturday, September 13, 2025. I Hate to Love You is another installment of Ms. Kimbrough’s love-themed series of plays.
“Love is a theme that is timeless, ageless, and always relevant. The love theme mantra has been our go-to-topic for all of our performances. It wasn’t intentional, but here we are once again with the love theme, I Hate to Love You,” said Ms. Kimbrough, who is a resident of Saulsbury. “[The play] materialized with the vision of blending teenagers and seniors throughout the play. Often times, it is believed teenagers ignore seniors and seniors feel uncomfortable being around teenagers. I was also inspired to write this production because I wanted to compare the difference between true love and imagined love and dramatize the experience of both situations in raw, authentic passion.”
Ms. Kimbrough shows ways the different age groups express love. Some groups show what love is without using the word. Another age group defines love as respect, kindness, and patience. Others believe in giving a helping hand when one reaches out.
“Situations will arise and characters must make crucial unpleasant decisions about who they love. More importantly, if that person loves them back. They will challenge themselves and decide if they can accept pretend love, because they don’t want to be lonely, or realize they deserve true love and move forward in search of true passion,” said Ms. Kimbrough.
It was important to Ms. Kimbrough to highlight what occurs when these two different age groups work together for a unified cause. Through the storytelling of the play, the answer is revealed showing a heartfelt and surprising alliance between teenagers and seniors. The characters are shown advocating for one another as meaningful bonds are built across generations in a constantly changing fast-paced computer world.
One idea Ms. Kimbrough wanted to capture when she was writing the play was the examination of the love hate relationship between brother and sister. She questions whether it is genuine. And if it is, whether resolution to their differences can only be found in a boxing ring?
“The idea of two people, male and female, boxing is different. Mixed with being elderly brother and sister who will put on boxing gloves and engage in a boxing match made me pause, then write,” said Ms. Kimbrough. “What a scene this is going to make?”
Although the content discusses serious matters, Ms. Kimbrough noted those messages do not in any way spoil the jovial performance. Instead, they show there are some issues called life that affect all of us, everywhere.
Ms. Kimbrough is pleased about the opportunity to bring I Hate to Love You to Hardeman County and have it appear at the Arts Center. Every cast member who steps on stage for this production has worked exceptionally hard to ensure this will be a great performance.
“It is great for the residents of the community to attend one of our plays locally, especially our seniors,” said Ms. Kimbrough, whose theatre company already has a large fan base. “And for those inquiring fans who want to know, yes Hayman is in the play!”
Ms. Kimbrough hopes those who see the performance leave more tolerant of each other and will be more respectful and kind.
Purchase Tickets
I Hate to Love You will be presented at the Hardeman County Arts Center on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. You may purchase tickets online now or one hour before each performance.
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