Adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Fiske and Max McLean, The Screwtape Letters, which runs 90 minutes without intermission, is set in an office in hell. The plot follows an ironic senior devil, Screwtape – who is equal parts charming intellectual, urbane psychologist, and cutthroat psychopath – and his secretary, Toadpipe – a fantastical creature who transforms into laughingly recognizable figures with whimsical movement and wordless wit – as they train an apprentice demon, Wormwood, on the fine art of temptation.
Critics have raved that the show is “Very smart… exuberant theatricality!,” (Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune), “Sizzling entertainment…Intellectual temperature has shot up…superbly orchestrated 90 minutes. Sensational!,” (Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times), “A first rate production…Terribly entertaining… Screwtape boils over with wit” (Jayne Blanchard, The Washington Times), a “Hell of a good time…imaginative theatricality…wonderful performances” (Frank Scheck, New York Post), “Sly, funny, handsomely produced” (Celia Wren, Washington Post) and “A thought-provoking, engaging, entertaining, intelligent, bitingly satirical and funny exploration of profound issues of right and wrong,” (Daniel Kelley, NYTheatre.com.)
The performance schedule for The Screwtape Letters is Wednesdays at 8pm, Thursdays at 8pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 3pm. Beginning January 8th, the performance schedule will run Thursdays through Sunday only. Tickets range in price from $29.00 to $48.50. Tickets are available by calling The Mercury Theater Box Office at 773.325.1700, TicketMaster at 312.902.1500, or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Discounted tickets for students and groups of 10 or more are also available. For groups of 15 or more, please call 773.477.7666. The Mercury Theatre’s convenient location gives audience members one-stop entertainment and various shopping and dining venues including Cullen’s Bar & Grill, the restaurant connected to the theater.
Photo Courtesy of screwtapeonstage.com
