The theatrical adaption of C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters “ will come to the Baton Rouge River Center this Saturday, Jan 25.
During the performance, viewers will be able to watch the performance of Lewis’ novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view.
The performance has become nationally acclaimed, outselling many Broadway tours. It has been sold out in cities across the nation, including New York, Washington, D.C. and Chicago.
Max McLean, the show’s director, adapted the role of Screwtape from Lewis’ original work. He also co-adapted Lewis’ “The Great Divorce,” and has been involved in many other theatrical productions.   According to McLean, this particular production resonates with audiences.
“C.S. Lewis is one of the most brilliant minds in the 20^th century, and I think Screwtape is one of his most intriguing works,” McLean said. “Lewis created this morally inverse universe.”
“The Screwtape Letters” creates a scene that is set in a dark, eerie office in Hell where God is called the “Enemy” and the devil is referred to as the “Our Father Below.” The play follows Screwtape and his slave creature, Toadpipe, as they train an apprentice demon, Wormwood, on how to destroy the life of a human soul on Earth.
McLean said that production members stayed true to the book and executed it well so that people would be interested and would want to see it. The play has been running for about 7 years, and over 400,000 people have seen the show.
“We wanted people to hear Lewis’ voice as he wrote it,” McLean said. “Lewis is very funny…the irony, satire really captures your imagination, and we wanted to keep all that. And the theatre helps makes it accessible to the audiences that aren’t used to the language of the 1940s.”
This will be the first time “The Screwtape Letters” makes its way to Louisiana. The national tour honors the fifty-year legacy Lewis has left behind.
“I hope the audience is entertained…for some people, I think it will be a convicting experience beyond that, and for others it may be a life changing experience,” McLean said.
“The Screwtape Letters,” plays on Saturday, January 25 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.  Tickets    are $29 to $49.  Student seats are $20, and student identification is required.  For groups of 10 or more (including student groups) call (225) 389-3030.