THE MOST RELUCTANT CONVERT ONSTAGE PRESENTS

Photo: Lancia E. Smith presents

ONSTAGE THE MOST RELUCTANT CONVERT

Written and Performed by Max McLean

Scenic Design Costume Design Lighting Design Original Music & Sound Design Projections Designer Kelly James Tighe Michael Bevins Geoffrey D. Fishburn John Gromada Rocco DiSanti

Wig & Hair Designer Dialect Coach Leah J. Loukas Claudia Hill-Sparks

Marketing, Advertising and Press Digital Advertising Southside Entertainment The Pekoe Group

General Management Production Stage Manager Aruba Productions Lew Mead

Executive Producer Ken Denison

Co-Directed by Ken Denison and Max McLean

There will be no intermission. Please turn off cell phones and personal electronic devices before the performance begins. Thank you. CAST AND LOCATION

C.S. Lewis...... Max McLean

Location...... Lewis’ Study, Magdalen College, Oxford, 1950

A NOTE ABOUT THE PLAY

In 1950, C.S. Lewis received a letter from with the likes of the late Christopher a young American writer expressing his Hitchens or Sam Harris. struggle to believe Christianity because he thought it “too good to be true.” This play is an exploration of Lewis’ Lewis responded, “My own position at dramatic conversion from this position the threshold of Christianity was exactly to Christianity. It is my view that his the opposite of yours. You wish it were vibrancy and resonance as a Christian THE MOST RELUCTANT CONVERT true; I strongly hoped it was not...Do apologist is rooted in this experience. you think people like Stalin, Hitler, Haldane, Stapledon (a corking good The primary sources for this play were writer, by the way) would be pleased Lewis’ autobiography Surprised by Joy on waking up one morning to find that as well as his Collected Letters. I also they were not their own masters...that relied on several of his books and there was nothing even in the deepest essay collections including The Problem recesses of their thoughts about which of Pain, The Weight of Glory, Mere they could say to Him, ‘Keep out! Christianity, God in the Dock, Present Private. This is my business’? Do you? Concerns and Christian Reflections. Rats!...Their first reaction would be (as Last, I was greatly helped by the mine was) rage and terror.” many biographies and critical insights by Douglas Gresham, Walter Hooper, This was Lewis’ mindset before he Devin Brown, Tim Keller, Alan Jacobs, “gave in” as he put it. Lewis embraced Jerry Root, Andrew Lazo, George materialism, a worldview also known as Sayer, David Downing, Alister McGrath, “atheism,” “naturalism,” “determinism” Armand Nicholi, Sheldon Vanauken, or “reductionism”. What they all hold Kenneth Tynan and A.N. Wilson to in common is the view that all of life, name a few. every action, emotion or perception, can be reduced to pre-existing physical This play takes place prior to the causes all the way back to the Big publication of Lewis’ first Narnia story Bang. There is no need to appeal and well before he met his wife, Joy to a supernatural source. God is not Davidman. That may beg the question required to explain or define origin, “will there be a sequel”? We shall see. meaning, ethics or destiny.

For many years, Lewis was a defender of this view. And given his rhetorical gifts and love of debate one could see Max McLean him fit into the “New Atheist” camp

3 WHO’S WHO

MAX McLEAN (C.S. Lewis, Playwright, ect with FPA after The Screwtape Letters Co-Director) Created the role of and Shadowlands. He has designed Screwtape (NYC, London, National costumes for television, film and theater. tour), Mark in Mark’s Gospel (Chicago, Recent television credits include two Jeff Award for Solo Performance), seasons of Garry Trudeau’s series Alpha Genesis (NYC, National Tour). As play- House starring John Goodman and wright/adaptor C.S. Lewis’ The Great Bill Murray, and three seasons of the Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, Genesis web series Cop Show with Colin Quinn and Mark’s GospeI. Co-writer with Chris and Jerry Seinfeld. Select film cred- Cragin-Day of Martin Luther on Trial. its include the award winning In The Favorite roles include Stanley, A Streetcar Family and The Grief of Others by Patrick Named Desire, and Snoopy, You’re a Wang, The Killing of John Lennon (2007 Good Man, Charlie Brown. McLean has Tribeca Film Festival Special Jury narrated the Bible five times as well as Prize), Down the Shore with James John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress and Gandolfini and A Novel Romance with Classics of the Christian Faith. His narra- Steve Guttenberg. He has also designed tions received four Audie Award nomi- costumes for numerous Off-Broadway nations. Max enjoys a round of golf. plays, including Sidd, White’s Lies, All Ephesians 2:10 Eyes and Ears, Machiavelli and Good Ol’ Girls. www.michaelbevins.com KELLY JAMES TIGHE (Scenic Designer) OFF BROADWAY/NATIONAL TOURS: GEOFFREY D. FISHBURN (Lighting Shadowlands (Fellowship for Performing Designer). Lighting Design - New York: Arts), The Fantasticks, Almost Heaven, Almost Heaven and Martin Luther The Time of Mendel’s Trouble, on Trial. Lighting Design - Regional: Nunsense (Anniversary production at Mary Poppins, Miss Saigon, The the Cherry Lane), Movin’ Out, Shear Little Mermaid, The Addams Family, Madness, Mooseltoe - A New Musical, Titanic, Peter Pan, Hairspray, Beauty 101 Dalmatians, Triumph (Las Vegas and the Beast, Phantom, Jekyll and Hilton). REGIONAL: San Jose Rep, Hyde, Gypsy, The Wiz, Jacques Brel Laguna Playhouse, Michigan’s Cherry is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. County Playhouse, Arts Center of Assistant Sound Design – New York Coastal Carolina, Sacramento Theater & National Tours: Dreamgirls, West Company, Diablo Theater Company, Side Story, The Secret Garden, Nixon Contra Costa Musical Theater, Center in China, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. Repertory Company, Gateway Playhouse. Associate Sound Design – Regional: Several National Television shows and Yankee Doodle Dandy, The Wizard of commercials including Disney, KitKat, Oz, My Fair Lady, The Spoleto Festival. Oxygen Network, Animal Planet, etc. Online at Kellyjamestighe.com JOHN GROMADA (Composer/Sound Designer) John has composed scores MICHAEL BEVINS (Costume Designer) and designed sound for more than 35 Michael is excited to design another proj- Broadway productions, including The

4 WHO’S WHO

Elephant Man with Bradley Cooper, The Chronicles, On the Town, A Night with Trip to Bountiful (Tony nomination), Janis Joplin, Vanya and Sonia and The Best Man (Drama Desk Award), Masha and Spike, American Idiot, Irena’s Clybourne Park, Seminar, The Columnist, Vow. Off Broadway: The Royale (Lincoln Next Fall, A Bronx Tale, Prelude to a Center); The Robber Bridegroom Kiss, Proof, Rabbit Hole, A Streetcar (Roundabout); Barbecue, Fortress Named Desire, Twelve Angry Men of Solitude (The Public Theater); The and A Few Good Men. For FPA: The Taming of the Shrew, Love’s Labour’s Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce Lost, Into the Woods (Shakespeare in and Shadowlands. His other New York the Park series); Heathers: The Musical; credits include Dada Woof Papa Hot, Tribes; Our Lady of Kibeho (Signature Incident at Vichy, Ripcord, Old Hats, My Theatre, NY); Jelly’s Last Jam (Signature Name is Asher Lev, Measure for Measure Theatre, DC); The Pirates of Penzance (Delacorte Theater), The Orphans’ (Barrington Stage Company); Ever After Home Cycle (Drama Desk and Henry (Paper Mill Playhouse): Butler (59E59). Hewes Awards), Shipwrecked! (Lucille Leah holds a BFA from the University Lortel Award), Julius Caesar, The Skriker of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of (Drama Desk Award), Machinal (OBIE Music. Award) and many more. His television and film credits include a score for the CLAUDIA HILL-SPARKS (Voice & Emmy-nominated The Trip to Bountiful Dialect Coach) Broadway: Anastasia, and Showing Roots. For more informa- Dance of the Vampires. Off Broadway: tion and music, visit www.johngromada. An Octoroon (Soho Rep/TFANA), com. The Merchant of Venice (TFANA), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Public ROCCO DISANTI (Projection Design). Theater, Shakespeare in the Park), Polish Broadway: The Snow Geese, The Joke (MTC), Time and the Conways Columnist, Wit, Collected Stories, Time (Epic Theater Ensemble), Stone Cold, Stands Still. Off Broadway: Incident at Dead Serious (The Edge Theater Vichy (Signature), Desire, Lift, Inner Company), Shadowlands (Fellowship Voices, Wide Awake Hearts (59E59), for Performing Arts). Regional: 2008– Completeness (Playwrights Horizons), A 2010 Summer Shakespeare Festivals, 8 Second Chance (The Public) and more. years as Resident Vocal Coach for The Regional: Fly, The Threepenny Opera, Old Globe, Hartford Stage, Barrington Spin, Company, A Second Chance Stage Company, Long Wharf Theatre, (Signature Theatre). Kansas City Swing, Huntington Theater Company, North Lift, The Adventure of Fishy Waters Shore Music Theater, American Players in Bed With The Blues (Crossroads). Theatre, Chautauqua Theater Company. AWARDS: Nominated for a 2012 Henry Numerous National Tours for Network Hewes Design Award for Completeness. Presentations. Television: Dialect Coach for Richard Easton as Ben Franklin for LEAH J. LOUKAS (Wig & Hair Designer). PBS. Faculty: The Old Globe/USD MFA Broadway: The Great Comet, The Heidi Professional Actor Training Program,

4 5 WHO’S WHO

Boston University BFA Professional Manager extends over 25 years, includ- Actor Training Program, The American ing numerous pre-Broadway and Academy of Dramatic Arts, The Wilma Broadway Productions. He was the Theater. Education: MFA in Acting, Associate Producer of the original Tony Temple University. Award-winning production of Disney’s The Lion King and was the General LEW MEAD (Production Stage Manager and Director of Production and Manager). Broadway engineering credits Operations for the renowned Old Globe include: A Chorus Line, Dreamgirls and Theatre in San Diego, CA. for 15 years. Bring Back Birdie. Broadway Design credits include: Onward Victoria, Tom FELLOWSHIP FOR PERFORMING Sawyer, Urinetown, The King and I and ARTS (Producer) creates theatre from Wonderful Town. Touring credits include a Christian worldview that engages Julie Andrews, Leslie Uggams and The a diverse audience. Founded by Max Screwtape Letters. Lew was the founder McLean in 1992, FPA has developed and of ProMix, a theatrical audio compa- presented theatrical productions such ny; Syntonic Design Group, a corporate as Shadowlands, The Screwtape Letters, audio company; and Autograph A2D, an The Great Divorce, Mark’s Gospel, audio distribution company located in Genesis, Martin Luther on Trial and New York City and London. C. S. Lewis On Stage: The Most Reluctant Convert in theatres and performing arts KEN DENISON/ARUBA PRODUCTIONS centers in New York, London and across Ken is the Executive Producer for America. It has also produced criti- Fellowship for Performing Arts. His com- cally acclaimed audiobook narrations pany Aruba Productions, along with of classic Christian works. FPA board senior staff members Brian Letchworth members include Glenn Gault, Roberta and Amy Polan-Clarke, are also the Livesay, Max McLean, Hardie Morgan, General Managers for FPA’s productions Daniel Quigley, John Rogers and Michael of C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, Tarwater. A member of ECFA since 1996, The Great Divorce, Martin Luther on FPA is 501(c)3 non-profit, donor- sup- Trial and Shadowlands. Other projects ported arts organization. include Human Nature at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas and Worldwide and Back Home Again featuring the songs of John Denver. Recent cred- its include Doctor Zhivago (Australia and Broadway), Broadway & The Bard starring Len Cariou and Songbird (Off Broadway), Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding and The Mary Wilson Holiday Spectacular with the Four Tops (Chicago). Ken’s experience as a Producer and General

6 7 FOR THE PRODUCTION

PRODUCER Fellowship for Performing Arts, Inc. Max McLean, Founder & Artistic Director EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Ken Denison GENERAL MANAGEMENT Aruba Productions, LLC Ken Denison Brian Letchworth Amy Polan Clarke

MARKETING, ADVERTISING & PRESS DIGITAL ADVERTISING GROUP SALES MANAGER Southside Entertainment 321.747.0077 The Pekoe Group Sarah Mills 888.294.1733 Cheryl Anteau

FELLOWSHIP FOR PERFORMING ARTS PRODUCTION Operations Manager...... Melissa Mollner Production Stage Manager...... Lew Mead Donor Relations...... Marshall Pennell & Jessica Ching Production Coordinator...... Hannah Mason Creative Director...... Ben Geist Head Carpenter/Properties...... Katie Martin Communications Director...... Paul Cozby Head Electrician...... Diana Duecker, Evan Hawkins Database Manager & Bookkeeper...... Jennifer Maala Wig & Wardrobe Supervisor...... Linda Gustafson Stanhope Group and Donor Relations Manager...... Sarah Mills Project Coordinator...... Allison McQuade ARUBA PRODUCTIONS Office Coordinator...... Dan DuPraw Booking and Ticketing Manager...... Robyn Sunderland Literary Manager...... Christa Scott-Reed Finance Assistant...... Ran Tokman Controller...... Erin Kouch, YPTC Assistant Company Manager...... Lucy Rybarczyk Social Media...... Grace Freeman Payroll Service...... Media Services Videographer...... Alex Barker Legal Counsel...... Jason Baruch, Sendroff & Baruch LLP Technology...... Jox Teodocio Web Developer...... Amanda Atkins Special thanks to Tommy Kurzman for makeup and Assistant to Creative Director...... Phil Laskowski wig concepts. Philanthropy...... PennellChing, LLC Scenery built and painted by Center Line Studios Inc., Auditors...... Lutz and Carr LLPPP New Windsor New York. Interns...... Caroline Burchett, Stephanie Anderson

The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

FELLOWSHIP CIRCLE

The Fellowship Circle is a key building block to help Fellowship for Performing Arts achieve our mission of presenting theatre from a Christian worldview that engages a diverse audience. The following Circle Members provided the financial support to produceThe Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, Mark’s Gospel, Martin Luther on Trial, C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert and Shadowlands:

Platinum Circle Walt & Anne Waldie Alan & Barbara Gates Jonathan & Mary Kay Borisch Anonymous (1) Trent & Jill Gazzaway Dr. & Mrs. Bill & Bridget Coughran Daniel & Alison Quigley Hardie & Andrea Morgan Gold Circle Bruce & Jan Saxon Kay & Gary Rupp Bernard & Jeanne Bertsche Edward & Josephine Skoudis J.D. & Angie Slaughter Louis & Joan Braddi Richard & Carol Spears Michael & Ann Tarwater Capt. & Mrs. Don & Sharon Frahler Jeff & Debbie Upchurch Sharon Van Dellen Brian & Audrie Ana Gardner Anonymous (3)

6 7 FELLOWSHIP CIRCLE

Silver Circle Tom & Peggy Coleman Scott & Jennifer Barringer Donald & Fara Avery Mary Collins Lori Batchelder Singh & Mary Bajwa Anthony & Linda Conrad Teresa Battaglia Dr. & Mrs. Terry & Connie Bawcom Dr. Ruth Correll Cecil & Teresa Beaird Andrew Billing Rick & Libby Cottrell Jon & Denise Beckman Gary & Pamela Bollier Glenn & Julie Davidson Frederick & Linda Behm Susan & Dirk Brokaw Charles & Connie Dunn March & Mariam Bell Wayne & Laura Buchanan Malcolm Everett Matt & Marcy Benedict Chris & Susan Burchett David & Judy Franklin Chad & Jennifer Bentz Chris & Lesley Chambless Sheila Freudenberger Jim & Carole Bluhm Keith & Eileen Denner Brent & Trang Green Michael & Denise Boriack Jere & Patsy Drummond Carter & Erin Hamilton Birch Bowdre Peter & Janis Duda Michael Handel Sam & Linda Bradshaw Paul & Adele Everett Brian & Ruth Harrington Capt. & Mrs. Chris & Yves Brooks John & Laura Fairfield Philip Hausler Wayne & Wallis Brooks Billy & Shannon Flippin Chris & Anne Hayes Guthrie & Jill Bunn Elbert & Cheryl Forman John Johnson Joe & Esther Campanella James & Elizabeth Gadsby Gen. & Mrs. Russell & Malissa William & Karen Carlson Glenn & Rebecca Gault Kilpatrick Janet Carpenter Gordon & Nada Geddes Gordon & Martha Koppin George & Sylvia Carson Muffin Grant Kyle & Ann Krueger Mitchell & Sara Chwatt Mart & Diana Green Robert & Michele Larson Bill & Anne Clippard Dr. & Dr. James & Edith Hall Robert & Linda Laskin Dr. & Mrs. J. David & Beverly Clyde Harry & Gayle Hargrave James & Cindy Lauffenburger John Cofer Dean & Ginger Hertenstein Thad & Lisa Leach Paul & Sherry Cozby Robert & Chris Hiday Charlene Lindner Ronald & Vicky Crowe Sterling & Alice Hitchcock Donald, Kim & Roberta Livesay Charles & Candace Curie Elliott & Mary Jo Horne Robert & Mary Long Erik Daniels Ronald & Renee Joelson Lawrence & Anita Maxwell Michael & Megan Davis Todd & Helen Johnson Max & Sharon McLean Dairus DeNeui Dr. & Mrs. Tony & Courtney Kim Kevin & Amy McMullen Kenneth & Valerie Dickerson Hal & Joan Kraft David & Darrellyn Melilli Barry & Johnelle Donnell Mark & Susan Lancaster John Morelock Cdr. & Mrs. Paul & Patricia Doolittle Terry & Mary MacRae Scott & Jenelle Mullet Ross Dorsett Keith & Deborah Nichols Douglas & Ellen Naylor Dave & Meg Dupee Donnie Perkins Brad & Andrea Newell John Durham Dr. & Dr. Robert & Judith Rausch Scott & Bridget Olson Helen & Martin Eger Sheli Remick Brad & Heather Pease Charles & Carolyn Eklund Bob & Sissel Rhyme John & Ann Porter Eric & Kim Elder William & Sheryl Robertson Harley & Posey Riedel Jess & Terry Ellis Chris & Linda Scharnhorst Mike & Diana Riley Brad & Annie Fairchild Dr. & Mrs. Gary & Terri Schmitt Lee & Christina Roth John & Jan Featherston William Snyder Dr. & Mrs. Ned & Charlene Rupp Dr. Caroline Fife Lana Valenta Dale & Arlene Schaefer George & Lisa Francisco John & Abna Waddell Daniel & Jennie Schipper Lisa Freese Ed & Becky Watt John & Lynn Siefker Clint & Diana Fultz Sharon Wigal Brian & Denise Smith David & Autumn Dawn Galbreath Richard & Linda Wyatt Cynthia & Steven Smith Michael & Carla Gasser Christopher & Christine Gorz Robert & Nancy Zimmerman Norm & Betty Snyder Sherrie Grabot Steven & Linda Znachko J.P. & Beth Stubbs Shaun & Sharron Grannis Anonymous (2) Steven Terrell Charles Grizzle Wesley & Janet Wada Bronze Circle Mark & Barbara Gubb Jon & Dusty Weichbrodt Jim & Barbara Alexander Lisa Harper Jonathan Yuen Dan & Susan Allen Clanton Harrison Anonymous (1) Gary Anderson Darin & Kristine Hawley William Artzt Cornerstone Circle Bill Heckle Wendell & Cynthia Barton Brent & Cindy Allen Susan Hill Joan Bauer John & Katherine Alsdorf James Michael & Patricia Hines Michelle Behrenwald Gwen Anderson Nelson Hoffman Steven & Georgia Bolman James & Phyllis Ashe Rhonda Holyfield-Mangieri Bill & Laurie Bolthouse Rev. & Mrs. Hank & Glo Avent Col. & Mrs. Ronald & Elizabeth Houle Robert & Susan Buck Chris & Cheryl Bachelder Michael & Laurie Jaffe Frank & Carol Childress Lorne & Michelle Bain Bruce Johnson

8 FELLOWSHIP CIRCLE

Duane Kelley Richard & Jane Struck Connie de Haan Charles & Joy Kelley Joseph Stubbs Richard & Deborah Decker Jay & Chelsea Kelter Jim Thornton Hannah Demaray Sean & Marta Klock Dr. Jim Toner Ellen Demchak Francis Koudelka Gilbert & Joyce Trimble Kelly Demo John & Amy Lambrinides Thomas & Carola Tucker Frank & Elaine Dennison Carl & Lisa Lapiska Timothy & Lauren Umbaugh Jarrett & Christine Dewelde James & Jill Laski Gordon & Elaine Vandermeulen Bob & Jo Ellen Dietz Gregory & Patricia Lee Gary & April Venable Aram & Kristen Donigian Wen-Hsiung Lee Beverly, Hugh & Catherine Verano Neil & Sharon Edlin Raymond & Carole Lewandowski Allen & Christina Voth Christina & Roy Ellsberry Gordon & Paula Lindeen Steve & Candi Walder Tim & Pam Elmore Brett Long Glenn & Mary Warner Lisa Elmore Robert & Carol Love Lee Watkins Gary & Sheila Engel Joel & Wendy Lundberg Dan & Mary Willett Franklin & Debra Ensor Mike & Carol Marker Stephen & Kristin Woodford Don & Holley Evans Anthony & Cindy Massaro Bill & Holly Worsley William Faulk Bob & Doreen Mathas Brent & Erin Wyper John Feyerer Allen & Debra Mathis Neil & Nancy Young Stephen & Eva Fincher William & Anne McCulloch Anonymous (2) Greg & Sandee Finley Allison McDonald Dr. Timothy Flanigan Mark & Cynthia McKoy Founder’s Circle Dr. & Mrs. Mark & Lauren Franklin Larry & Amy Meyer W. Shepherdson & Kathryn Abell Roy & Carol Franks Kay Miller Ed & Deborah Alyanak Valerie Frey Radford & Wendy Moeller Marc & Millie Arnold Kent Garbee Stephen & Janet Morgan Christopher & Judy Austin J. H. & Tabitha Gatewood Gary & Beverly Morgan Jan Bairoti Brian & Kendra Gevry Carrie Mostul Ed & Connie Baker Timothy Gillis Thomas & Donna Mowery Sandra Sue Baker Ray & Lynda Goodfellow Robert & Nancy Mowrey Hudson & Deborah Barton Bill & Marcia Grapes Dr. Sally Naylor Suzanne Behr Gregory & Laura Grass Jon & Debbie Noetzel Kay Behrenwald Sheila Greco Thomas & Susan Olmstead Jay & Maya Betz Thomas & Barbara Greenberg Rick & Melissa Owens Gary & Lee Blount Gordon & Denise Greenhill Ted & Nan Peters Chris Bopp Will & Donna Grimley Maryam Pirayou Dr. & Mrs. Andrew & Dena Boswell Rev. & Mrs. David & Sharon Haberer Kyle Planas Mary E Boyd Nathan Hamberg Mark Plaster Wesley Braden Mark & Sally Hanson Dave & Gayle Porter Dr. & Mrs. Robert & Sharlene Jeffrey & Jennifer Hargrave David & Beverly Porter Bradshaw Dr. & Mrs. James & Mary Ann Grace & Jack Powers Nancy Brown Harkema Mason & Katherine Reay Roger & Cindy Bumps Ted & Ibel Hartlett Stevan & Terri Rexroad John & Carolyn Burch Patricia Haswell Jeffrey Ring Thomas & Kristin Burke Edward & Pamela Hawkins Douglas & Alice Ritter Debbie Burow John & Susan Hayes Doug & Lisa Rogers John Campbell Tom & Shawn Haynes Stone & Barbara Rose Barry & Sharon Campbell Lea Helmerich Edward Sabo Matthew Caron Joel & Catheryn Helton Benjamin & Jackie Scardello John & Dorothy Castle Kenneth Hess Douglas & Elizabeth Scheffler Carl J Chiappa Vinson & Sharal Huegele Thomas & Kelly Scurich Sandra Clark Peter & Joanne Hughes John & Amy Shackelford Marty & Nancy Clayton Kevin & Yvonne Hull Marion Sharp Doug Clifton Lee & Natalie Iden Christiane Shipley Patrick Clock David & Ricki Jackson Stephen & Cheryl Shuler Ronald & Nancy Connor Julie Johns Thomas & Margi Siems James & Melissa Consedine Blake Johnson Richard & Andrea Sittema Norman & Helen Jean Coombs Dale & Cindy Jorgenson Douglas & Sharon Smith Dr. Joy Corby Carmen Julius Jerry & Kitty Spence Gregory & Michelle Cryer Paul & Stacy Kanneman Philip & Rachael Starke William & Anna Jean Cushwa Scott & Shifra Kauffmann Timothy Stember Robert Daley Brandi Kavanaugh Mark & Robin Stewart Joy Dance Everett & Charlene Kennedy Dr. & Mrs. James & Cheryl Strang David & Heidi Dasinger Jim & Kathi Killion Charles & Joy Strnad Rev. & Mrs. Charles & Ingrid Davis Lane & Linda Kimbrough

8 9 FELLOWSHIP CIRCLE

David Kitchens Joyce Prichett Mary Streeter Steven & Marie Klein Charles & Karletta Pruszynski Steve Sullins David & Annie Knowles Wade & Marilyn Reed Laura Sullivan Kent & Beth Kochheiser James & Betty Roberson Jan & Jan L Sun Barbara Kupferberg Mark & Melissa Robertson Doug Tabor John & Sandra Lacey Bruce Robertson Dr. & Mrs. David & Mickey Templin Dr. Michael Landwehr Jenny Rogers Jeffrey Thompson James & Bonnie Laney Rick & Faith Roggenburg Jay & Cheryl Thompson Roseanna Lee Eric Rothdeutsch William & Charlanne Tippett Greg Leith Michael Rothe Gatlan & Denise Turk Karen Lindia Briana Rouse Luann Van Campen Paul & Sally Anne Liu Don & Katie Runyon Gary Vandenbos Robert (Greg) & Deborah Low Carol Sampson Scott & Michele Velting McCrary Lowe Destin Sandlin Don & Lois Verleur Tony Maalouf Theodore & Sarah Sands Bruce Versteegh Tony & Tammy Magaldi Dr. & Mrs. Steven & Anne Sarkisian Steven & Kathryn Waters John Marshall Kerby & Lisa Saunders Matthew & Martina Watkins C. Dianne Martin Lenora Schaber Daniel & Julie Weber Matthew & Karol Matejko Ryan Schaub Earle & Tommie West Steven McClellan Beverly Scheliga William & Colleen McCrary John Schiller Denise Westfall William McCray Kathleen Schmidt John Wheeler Bruce & Suzanne McFadden Dr. & Mrs. Clark & Sherilyn Rita Wignall Kevin McHugh Schneekluth Ryan & Katrina Wilhelmsen Lt. Gen. & Mrs. Gary & Jackie Mears David & Susannah Schorlemer Scott & Jill Wilkinson Sam & Mary Menefee Walter & Pat Schriver Robert & Joyce Wilks Gary & Vivian Merideth Troy & Kelly Schulze Rodger & Karen Williams Mark & Karen Mitchell Bob Schweikhard Brian & Julia Wilson Joseph & Rosanne Mitchell Carlton & Elaine Sears Robert & Linda Wohleber Daniel & Leah Moebs Marshall & Carole Seese Paul & Mary Jo Wohlers Payton & Pam Montague Jonathan & Rachel Sherrill Steven Wyse David & Katherine Moore Mike & Marion Shields Terry Young Carl & Kris Mower Stephen & Stacy Skinner Cheri Youssef Randy & Pamela Newman Edward Smith William & Amy Zewe Patricia Nichols Greg & Joyce Smith Elliot & Joy Nowels Gregory & Michele Smith Corporate Gifts Dorothy Nutto Roger & Judy Smith Corporate Gifts Timothy & Carroll Olson Richard Sosin Acuity Marketing Scott & Marline Pallais Richard Spees Ayco Charitable Dave Parker Frank & Arlana St. Clair Eli Lilly Foundation Bryan & Brenda Peck Julie Starcher ExxonMobil Matching Gifts Toby & Cindy Perry Barry & Sam Stare Genitor Technology Gail Peterson Michael & Kristin Starmer IBM International Michael & Kirsten Phalen Olga Statz Impact Assets Katharine Pittman Jim & Terri Steinkamp Occidental Petroleum Jeffrey & Jennifer Plunkett Lyle Stephenson PNC Matching Gifts Duane & Janet Porch Chuck Stetson Pfizer Matching Gifts Jonathan Porter Russell & Kathy Stevens WalderLaw

The names on this list were last updated on 1/5/2018. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list. Please call us with any questions or corrections. FPA values the donations of our many other supporters and friends and extends our deepest gratitude to all. To join our Fellowship Circle, visit CSLewisOnStage.com/donate or call us at 212.582.2920 and ask for Melissa Mollner or Sarah Mills.

Platinum Circle ($100,000 +), Gold Circle ($25,000 - $99,999), Silver Circle ($10,000 - $24,999), Bronze Circle ($5,000 - $9,999), Cornerstone Circle ($2,000 - $4,999), Founder’s Circle ($1,000 - $1,999) Fellowship for Performing Arts P.O. Box 732, New York, NY 10108 212.582.2920 [email protected] FPAtheatre.com facebook.com/CSLewisOnStage @cslewisonstage

10 NOTE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

While experiencing a production by production] will be entertaining, very well Fellowship for Performing Arts, some staged, canny and imbued with serious people become curious about what Christian thought and an earnest invita- drives our work. tion to introspection.” FPA’s objective is to engage and enter- The second critic began by stating tain its patrons by telling stories from a that he was “Jewish by birth, liberal by Christian worldview that can capture the conviction and an atheist by observa- imagination of a diverse audience. tion and introspection.” He went on Our process begins with careful atten- to express “how much I admire the tion to selecting works we think can approach of Fellowship for Performing accomplish this objective. Shadowlands Arts...They do their work through a care- —our most recent New York production— ful combination of good storytelling— is a good example. It is an award-win- craft comes first...allowing any message ning play with a gripping, yet humorous, implicit in the material to take care of story of love and loss, grief and doubt, itself.” and, ultimately, faith. It’s been captivating Last season, a third critic comment- audiences for nearly three decades. ed that “Fellowship for Performing Arts We also strive to execute our artis- offers something that has been sore- tic vision to the highest level of excel- ly missing from the New York theater lence our budgets scene for far too allow. In this case ”Art hints at the deeper long: high-quality, that objective was structures of reality. FPA desires challenging theater executed by attract- to create theatre that contributes to a from a Christian ing a first-rate cast, perspective. Most better understanding of that reality.” production and cre- impressively...they ative team. let the drama lead I’m aware that, despite the best of the way, allowing us to debate what we intentions, the notion of a “religious” play have witnessed on the trip home.” might send up a yellow flag. Such feedback is reassuring. Art hints During our first season in New York at the deeper structures of reality. FPA a few years back, several reviewers desires to create theatre that contributes expressed this skepticism in print. One to a better understanding of that reality. critic, upon discovering the worldview To do that requires honest, clear-eyed of the producers, wrote “my heart sank.” storytelling that entertains and engages Another made the understatement that its audiences. If a play doesn’t do that, it presenting plays from a place of com- really doesn’t matter what else it does. plete religious conviction “to a general Thank you for the privilege of attempt- audience is no easy thing.” ing to do just that at this performance. In both cases, it was the work itself that turned them around. The first declared, “I expected a preachy bore, not this deli- ciously witty, theatrical treat that still reso- Max McLean, nates and amuses the day after.” He went Founder and Artistic Director on, “I expect that, like the first, [the next Fellowship for Performing Arts

10 11 STAY IN TOUCH WITH FPA!

Be the first to know about new FPA productions in New York and in your city. Receive our Fellowship Circle Newsletter and go behind the scenes with C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert, Shadowlands, Martin Luther on Trial, Mark’s Gospel and The Screwtape Letters.

Visit FPAtheatre.com and click “Stay in Touch.”

Max McLean, Artistic Director P.O. Box 732, New York, NY 10108