” An Evening With C. S. Lewis” reviewed by Frank Meccia

Highly Recommended *****

After working a 9-hour day today, I was almost dreading the drive downtown to watch another drama this week. But something felt right about it, the drive on the Kennedy only took 27 min from the Skokie to downtown Chicago, I even got to the theatre 40 minutes early. But, the thought of spending and evening with C.S. Lewis the author of over 43 books and some of my favorite, Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Miracles, I felt it was worth it, and what an evening it was. The show was supposed to be 2 acts with one intermission, but tonight it would be 100 minutes, due to David Payne being under the weather. The play takes place in 1963 and C.S. Lewis, is hosting a group of American writers at his home near Oxford. Seated in his living room he recalls the people and events that inspired his thoughts and shaped his life, of his friendship with J.R. Tolkien, why he almost abandoned the Narnia Chronicles, how he embraced Christianity, and the woman who turned his life upside down.

Davis Payne as C.S. Lewis was amazing, you really felt that he was talking to you, an American reporter sitting in his living room. He is so perfect for this role, now I understand why he has been playing it for over 20 years. His mannerism, his speech, his witty one liners are so Lewis. His humor is so refreshing, and I am sure that honest British accent helps with the role. Not once during those 100 minutes did, I ever look at my watch, or wonder how much longer. I was totally immersed into everything he talked about.

The set design was perfect for the Broadway Playhouse, an intimate theater ,with a small stage, and this set was the living room of C.S. Lewis’s home. Everything was perfect, and I am sure that steaming pot of hot tea that he would drink from helped him when feeling under the weather.

I recommend spending an evening with Mr. Lewis, If you go to the Broadway in Chicago.Com website, http://www.BroadwayInChicago.com , you can enter a digital lottery where every night 20 seats will go for $25.00. Don’t forget to get your parking ticket validated at the box office, it’s only $15 to park, otherwise is $33.00.

An Evening with C.S. Lewis is playing till Nov 3^rd, don’t miss it, a must-see performance. the schedule is:

Price: $70

Show Type: Comedy

Box Office: 800-775-2000

Running Time: 1hr, 30mins with one intermission

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “An Evening Wih C.S. Lewis