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The Screwtape Letters, the entertaining and provocative theatrical adaptation of the best selling novel by C.S. Lewis about spiritual warfare from a demon's point of view, has extended its run at The Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, through February 15th. The play also enjoyed sold-out runs Off-Broadway in New York and in Washington, D.C.
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 plot follows an ironic senior devil, Screwtape – who is equal parts charming intellectual, urbane psychologist, and cutthroat psychopath - and his secretary, Toadpipe - a fantastical creature who transforms into laughingly recognizable figures with whimsical movement and wordless wit - as they train an apprentice demon, Wormwood, on the fine art of temptation.
Critics have raved that the show is "Very smart… exuberant theatricality!," (Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune), "Sizzling entertainment…Intellectual temperature has shot up…superbly orchestrated 90 minutes. Sensational!," (Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times), "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 "A thought-provoking, engaging, entertaining, intelligent, bitingly satirical and funny exploration of profound issues of right and wrong," (Daniel Kelley, NYTheatre.com.)
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.
After playing to sold out houses Off-Broadway at Theatre at St. Clement's and at The Shakespeare Theatre Company's Lansburgh Theatre in D. C., The Screwtape Letters began performances at the Mercury Theater on Oct 2nd.The Screwtape Letters is produced by Fellowship for the Performing whose mission is present theatre from a Christian worldview that engages a diverse audience. It is directed by Jeffrey Fiske and stars Max McLean as Screwtape and Yvonne Gougelet as Toadpipe. Scenic design is by Cameron Anderson, costumes are by Michael Bevins, lighting by Tyler Micoleau, and sound is by Bart Fasbender. For more biographical or production information, visit www.ScrewtapeOnStage.com.The performance schedule for The Screwtape Letters is Wednesdays at 8pm, Thursdays at 8pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 3pm. Beginning January 8th, the performance schedule will run Thursdays through Sunday only. Tickets range in price from $29.00 to $48.50. Tickets are available by calling The Mercury Theater Box Office at 773.325.1700, TicketMaster at 312.902.1500, or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Discounted tickets for students and groups of 10 or more are also available. For groups of 15 or more, please call 773.477.7666. The Mercury Theatre's convenient location gives audience members one-stop entertainment and various shopping and dining venues including Cullen's Bar & Grill, the restaurant connected to the theater.
