C.S. LEWIS' THE GREAT DIVORCE to Open FPA's Inaugural NYC Season

Fellowship For Performing Arts announced today its inaugural 2015/2016 New York season at the Pearl Theatre (555 West 42nd Street). Fellowship For Performing Arts will present four plays in New York City in the 2015/2016 season, including the New York premiere of C.S. Lewis' THE GREAT DIVORCE; the return of the acclaimed play and nationwide hit C.S. Lewis' THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS; a workshop production of FPA's first wholly original play, MARTIN LUTHER ON TRIAL; and a limited special event - the world premiere of C.S. LEWIS ONSTAGE. Tickets for all productions are now on sale at www.FPAtheatre.com.

"It's exciting to bring these four productions to New York," said FPA Founder and Artistic Director Max McLean. "We're motivated by the challenge of presenting our productions to the discerning, demanding audiences both from this area and travelers from around the country."

ABOUT THE 2015/2016 FPA SEASON:

The season kicks off with the New York premiere of C.S. Lewis' THE GREAT DIVORCE, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis and adapted for the stage by McLean and Brian Watkins, with previews beginning Nov. 13, 2015, and an opening night set for Dec. 3, 2015. Based on Lewis' classic theological fantasy about Heaven and Hell, C.S. Lewis' THE GREAT DIVORCE takes audiences to the outskirts of Heaven where the decision to stay or return to the familiar "Grey Town" below proves to be harder than imagined. Now making its New York debut, three brilliant actors bring this mesmerizing adaptation to life in an exciting theatrical experience that challenges you to awaken the spirit within. C.S. Lewis' THE GREAT DIVORCE plays through Jan. 3, 2016.

The acclaimed play C.S. Lewis' THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis and adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Fiske and McLean, returns to New York this winter and begins previews Jan. 6, 2016, and opens Jan. 13, 2016. C.S. Lewis' THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS is a smart, provocative and wickedly funny theatrical adaptation of the Lewis novel about spiritual warfare from a demon's point of view. The play, set in an eerily stylish office in Hell, follows the clever scheming of one of Satan's senior tempters, Screwtape. He advises his nephew, a junior tempter, on enticing a human "patient" toward damnation. In this topsy-turvy, morally inverted universe, God is the "Enemy" and the Devil is "Our Father Below." The stakes are high as human souls are Hell's primary source of food. C.S. Lewis' THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS plays through Jan. 24, 2016.

FPA will present a workshop production of MARTIN LUTHER ON TRIAL, written by Chris Cragin-Day and McLean, and directed by Michael Parva. In the new original play MARTIN LUTHER ON TRIAL, Luther's beloved wife Katarina defends him and the Devil prosecutes as witnesses including Adolf Hitler, Sigmund Freud, Rabbi Josel, St. Paul, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Pope Francis take the stand. Even as 2017 marks 500 years since Luther ignited the Protestant Revolt against Rome, he continues to spark intense debate. You be the judge in this witty, provocative exploration of one of history's most explosive personalities and the religious and political controversies he unleashed. MARTIN LUTHER ON TRIAL begins performances on Feb. 4, 2016, and runs through Feb. 14, 2016.

In a limited, special premiere presentation of C.S. LEWIS ONSTAGE: THE MOST RELUCTANT CONVERT, McLean takes audiences on a fascinating theatrical adventure as C.S. Lewis, tracing his journey from atheism to belief. Adapted from his writings, McLean inhabits Lewis from the death of his mother, his estranged relationship with his father and the experiences that led him from vigorous debunker to the most accessible and eloquent Christian intellectual of the 20th Century. C.S. LEWIS ONSTAGE is 80 fast-paced minutes brimming with Lewis' entertaining wit and thought-provoking insight as one of the most engaging personalities of our age comes to life on stage. C.S. LEWIS ONSTAGE will be presented Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21, and Feb. 18-21.

Tickets for all shows are now on sale. To purchase tickets, please visit www.FPAtheatre.com or call 212-563-9261.