THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, the entertaining hit theatre production is being presented by Fellowship for the Performing Arts at Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby Street, Houston, TX Thursday, January 28 through Sunday, January 31. The play has enjoyed sold-out runs in Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. and now makes its way to Houston.
THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS is a funny, provocative and wickedly witty theatrical adaptation of C.S. Lewis' brilliant novel that explores the theme of spiritual warfare from a demon's point of view.
Adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Fiske and Max McLean, THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, which runs 90 minutes without intermission, is set in an office in hell. The engaging play follows a senior devil, Screwtape, played by award winning actor Max McLean, and his secretary, Toadpipe, played by Karen Eleanor Wight, as they train an apprentice demon, Wormwood, on how to "undermine faith and prevent the formation of virtues" in a young man who has just converted to Christianity. As Screwtape ridicules Wormwood and devilishly dictates his letters to Toadpipe, the fantastical creature transforms into laughingly recognizable figures with whimsical movement and wordless wit.
Critics have raved that the show is "Very smart...richly rewarding...exuberant theatricality!," (
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune), "THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS is just about everything you want in a night at the theatre...," (
Daniel Kelly, NYTheatre.com), "A first rate production...Terribly entertaining... Screwtape boils over with wit" (Jayne Blanchard, The Washington Times), a "Hell of a good time...imaginative theatricality...wonderful performances" (Frank Scheck, New York Post), "Sly, funny, handsomely produced" (Celia Wren, Washington Post) and "Pure genius... an outstanding piece of work," (John
J. Miller, National Review)
When first published in 1942. THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS brought immediate fame to
C.S. Lewis, a little known Oxford don whose field of study was Medieval English and literature. Over the past sixty-five years its wit and wisdom have made it one of his most widely read and influential works. One of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably the most influential Christian writer of his day,
C.S. Lewis was a Fellow and Tutor of English literature at Oxford University until 1954 when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement.
His major contributions in literary criticism, children's literature, fantasy literature, and popular theology brought him international renown. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract millions of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include: The Chronicles of Narnia, Out of the Silent Planet, and Mere Christianity.
THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS opened in New York in the fall of 2007 at the Theatre at St. Clement's for twelve sold-out weeks to rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. In April 2008 it transferred to The
Shakespeare Theatre Company's Lansburgh Theatre in Washington, D.C. for a five week run. Again it played for sold out and standing room-only audiences. In October 2008, it transferred again to the Mercury Theater in Chicago for a scheduled six week run that grew to six months. The Chicago Tribune called it "the most successful show in the history of the Mercury Theater." In the fall of 2009 SCREWTAPE embarked on a five city tour including San Francisco, Phoenix, Louisville, Ft. Lauderdale and Chattanooga where it delighted full houses with its wit, humor and intellectual intensity.
Currently SCREWTAPE has accepted an invitation to return to the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington D.C. where it will run from December 16th - January 3, 2010.
THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS is directed by
Jeffrey Fiske and stars
Max McLean as Screwtape and
Karen Eleanor Wight as Toadpipe. Scenic design is by Cameron Anderson, costumes are by
Michael Bevins, lighting by Jesse Klug, and sound is by
Bart Fasbender. For more biographical or production information, visit www.ScrewtapeOnStage.com.
The schedule for THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS is Thursday, January 28 at 8 p.m., Friday, January 29 at 8 p.m., Saturday, January 30 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday, January 30 at 3 p.m. Tickets range in price from $29.00 to $55.00. Select premium seats are also available for $75. There are a limited number of $20 Student rush tickets that can be purchased day of each performance at the box office. A valid Student ID must be presented. To purchase tickets, contact the box office at 713.315.2525 or visit www.ScrewtapeOnStage.com.
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