THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, the provocative and wickedly funny theatrical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel about spiritual warfare from a demon's point of view, will be presented for two performances only at The Orpheum Theatre, 203 South Main Street, in Memphis on Saturday, November 5 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The Memphis engagement is part of the 2011 national tour that kicked off after THE SCREWTAPE LETTER'S hit nine month run at The Westside Theatre in New York where it played 309 performances! Prior to that, THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS was a sold out hit in Chicago and Washington D. C.
Now in its eleventh month, THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS' National Tour has played to capacity audiences in numerous cities including Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Atlanta and Dallas.
Associated Press calls the production "Devilishly funny!" The Chicago Sun-Times hails THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS as "Smart, sizzling entertainment!" and Christianity Today describes it as "A profound experience!"
THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS creates a tops- turvy morally inverted universe set in an eerily stylish office in hell, where God is called the "Enemy" and the devil is referred to as "Our Father below."
The play follows His Abysmal Sublimity Screwtape, Satan's top psychiatrist, played by award winning actor Max McLean, and his creature-demon secretary Toadpipe, as they train an apprentice demon, Wormwood, on the fine art of seducing an unsuspecting human "patient" down the "soft, gentle path to hell."
Along with The Chronicles of Narnia (including The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe), The Great Divorce and Mere Christianity, THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS is still one of Lewis' most popular and influential works. The book's piercing insight into human nature and the lucid and humorous way Lewis makes his readers squirm in self recognition made it an immediate success. When first published in 1942 it brought worldwide fame to this little-known Oxford don including the cover of Time Magazine.
Lewis dedicated it to his close friend J. R. R. Tolkien who had expressed to Lewis that delving too deeply into the craft of evil would have consequences. Lewis admitted as much when he wrote "Though I had never written anything more easily, I never wrote with less enjoyment . . . though it was easy to twist one's mind into the diabolical attitude, it was not fun, or not for long. The work into which I had to project myself while I spoke through Screwtape was all dust, grit, thirst, and itch. Every trace of beauty, freshness, and geniality had to be excluded."
Produced by New York City based Fellowship for the Performing Arts. Max McLean serves as Artistic Director. Executive Producer and General Manager is Ken Denison of Aruba Productions. Scenic Design is by Cameron Anderson, Costumes by Michael Bevins, Lighting Design by Jesse Klug, and Original Music and Sound Design by John Gromada.
The performance schedule for THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS is Saturday, November 5 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and prices range from $29 - $59. There are a limited number of premium seats available for $89. For groups of 10 or more (including student groups) call 866.476.8707.
To purchase tickets, visit www.ScrewtapeonStage.com, or The Orpheum Box Office (901-525-3000) or the ticket counter at The Booksellers at Laurelwood and at all Ticketmaster centers (901-743-ARTS).
