C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert

Using C.S. Lewis’ own words, award-winning actor Max McLean brings the brilliant Oxford Don to life, taking us on his extraordinary journey from hard-boiled atheist to “the most reluctant convert in all England“ . . . only to become the most influential Christian writer of the 20th century.

“Astonishing Lucidity!”
Chicago Tribune ​​
“Bristling, Provocative, Highly Entertaining!”
Chicago Sun-Times
“Hugely Moving!”
Washington Post

 

Run Time:
80 minutes with no intermission. The performance is followed by a post-show discussion with Max McLean.

Age Recommendation:
Recommended for ages 13 and older. Children under age 4 not admitted.

A Note From The Producer

Audience Reactions
Trailer
  • ‘Clive Staples Lewis, famously described himself as ‘the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.’ And it’s that reluctance, along with the astonishing lucidity of his prose, the open-hearted spirit of his storytelling and the exquisite rigor behind his intellect, that have combined to make C.S. Lewis pretty much EVERY ATHEIST’S FAVORITE CHRISTIAN thinker… Very many were at the packed theatre highly engaged by Max McLean.
    CHICAGO TRIBUNE
    McLean’s UNCANNILY SPOT ON PERFORMANCE does justice to Lewis’ highly theatrical manner… McLean is not only faithful to the author’s voice, but he also achieves Lewis’ standards for meticulous detail… which has fascinated so many.
    THEATREMANIA
    Max McLean chronicles Lewis’ journey from determined atheist to Christian believer with such wit, grace, braininess and economy that those on either side of the ‘God spectrum’ are sure to delight in it… McLean instantly convinces you that you are in the presence of C.S. Lewis himself… you can remain an avid doubter even as you enjoy its BRISTLING, PROVOCATIVE, HIGHLY-ENTERTAINING arguments.
    CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

  • Lewis’ fiercely considered intellectual reason makes the stuffy Oxford don INTRIGUING COMPANY.

    THE NEW YORKER
    McLean has a rich stage presence and a masterful command of timing… I found the play’s conversion account both SPIRITUALLY INVIGORATING and hugely moving.
    WASHINGTON POST
    AMONG THE FINEST SKILLED ACTORS working in American theatre today… with subtle and self-depreciating humor… Max McLean makes subtle and complex material sizzle on stage.
    CHICAGO CRITIC
  • In McLean’s BRILLIANT PORTRAYAL, Lewis’ wry sense of humor is front and center. Lewis is articulate, erudite, insightful and ABOVE ALL FUNNY. 
    AROUND THE TOWN CHICAGO
    McLean ‘inhabits’ Lewis…Witty, warm, erudite and very funny in a delightfully self-deprecatory way… This performance is ENTERTAINING, STIMULATING and mentally enriching.
    SPLASH MAGAZINE

    Lewis was a talented writer and a careful scholar. As played by McLean, he’s also a GREAT COMEDIC CHARACTER.

    INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY
  • ONE TERRIFIC PIECE OF THEATER… smart, fascinating and satisfying… amazing moments on stage… McLean gives us a Lewis that immediately draws us in… We know going in how the play ends…But how the play gets there is the intriguing thing… purely as dramatic character arc, the conversion story in C.S. Lewis Onstage is captivating.
    DC METRO ARTS
    A personable and intriguing portrait of the scholar. brainy rants, re-enacts debates with his friends… before dropping some ironic retort that LEAVES EVERYONE CHUCKLING.
    WORLD MAGAZINE
    C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert, opens with a riff against a cruel, indifferent and seemingly meaningless universe reminiscent of a Woody Allen monologue… McLean delivers a performance that is WORTHY OF ITS SUBJECT… a story about an immensely creative mind, arriving at the threshold of faith.
    THE WEEKLY STANDARD

Buy Tickets

Milwaukee
May 2018
  • M
  • Tu
  • W
  • Th
  • F
  • Sa
  • Su
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
CLICK HERE
EMAIL US

Cast & Creative

Download Playbill

Stay In Touch

Be the first to know when FPA productions are coming to your city.

*All fields required.