The Screwtape Letters February 12, 2011

“The Devil has rarely been given his due more perceptively and eruditely!” -THE NEW YORK TIMES

Chicago, IL - THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, the provocative and wickedly witty theatrical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view, will be presented at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway Ave., Portland, Oregon, in a limited engagement on Saturday, February 12 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

This engagement at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall follows its hit nine month run at the Westside Theatre in New York where THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS played over 300 performances! Prior to that, THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS was a sold out hit in Chicago and Washington D. C.

Associated Press calls the production “Devilishly funny!” The Chicago Sun-Times hails THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS as “Smart, sizzling entertainment!” and National Review describes it is “Pure genius…an outstanding piece of work!”

THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS runs 90 minutes without intermission. In this topsy turvy morally inverted universe set in an eerily stylish office in hell, 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, February 12 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets range from $29 - $89. Student tickets are available for $25 each; limit two per customer, at the Box Office. Valid ID must be presented. All ticket prices are subject to facility fees. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit the box office at 1111 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon, open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday as well as two hours before events at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall; call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com, or visit www.ScrewtapeonStage.com. For groups of 10 or more call 866.476.8707.