Noteworthy

The Screwtape Letters a Hit in New York City

NEW YORK CITY: The theatre production company of Fellowship for the Performing Arts produced an engaging stage adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters in the Times Square Theatre District in New York City.

Originally planned for just sixteen performances, The Screwtape Letters ran for fifty two performances over eleven weeks before being forced to close due the theatre’s other commitments.  The production received national notice in The Wall Street Journal (see review), and in The National Review (see review).

FPA approached the C.S. Lewis estate in early 2005 to seek permission to adapt the novel to the stage.  “We believed that the popularity of the novel and C. S. Lewis would  help us to attract a wide and diverse audience.” Said Jeffrey Fiske, FPA’s artistic director. 

Fiske and Max McLean, who played Screwtape, spent several months writing multiple drafts to transform the novel into a two hour two person stage play. Over one hundred actors sent resumes for the role of Toadpipe, Screwtape’s demonic secretary. After 29 auditions Jenny Savage was cast in the role.  Rehearsals began on January 3rd and the show opened on January 27th at Theatre 315 on W. 47th Street. Originally schedule to close on February 13 it ran through April 10th.

“We believe that there is still a substantial audience that would want to see The Screwtape Letters,” said Fiske.  With that in mind FPA has secured the rights from the C. S. Lewis estate to move the production to a larger, more prominent theatre in New York City for 2007.

To see a video clip of The Screwtape Letters, or read the playbill and audiences responses go to www.fpatheatre.com

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