MARTIN LUTHER ON TRIAL

(March 14, 2016 - Washington, D.C.) Fellowship for Performing Arts (FPA) returns to the Lansburgh Theatre with two world premieres: C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert April 20-May 8 and Martin Luther on Trial May 12-22. One of the most engaging personalities of our age comes to life in C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert, adapted by and starring Max McLean. FPA’s first non-adapted original play, Martin Luther on Trial, is a provocative fantasy set in the afterlife about one of history’s most controversial personalities. Washington audiences will remember FPA as the producers of the popular hits The Screwtape Letters and C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce.

“We are thrilled to return to the nation’s capital with our two latest productions,” said FPA Founder and Artistic Director Max McLean. “C.S. Lewis wrote more than 30 books that have sold over 200 million copies, making him arguably the most influential religious writer of the past century. In The Most Reluctant Convert, we visit the agonizing events that led to his conversion.

“Our second production is our first original play. Martin Luther on Trial is a fantasy set in the afterlife that explores the political and religious revolution unleashed 500 years ago. The Devil acts as prosecutor, while St. Peter presides. Witnesses including Adolf Hitler, Sigmund Freud, Rabbi Josel, St. Paul, Martin Luther King, Jr. and even Pope Francis take the stand. It is an imaginative way to explore issues that are still with us today: such as the Catholic–Protestant divide, anti–Semitism, Europe’s fear of an Islamic insurgence and even the foundations of the separation of church and state.”

In C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert, McLean leads the audience on a fascinating theatrical adventure as he traces Lewis’ journey from atheism to belief. McLean inhabits Lewis through the experiences that led him from vigorous debunker of Christianity to the most vibrant and eloquent Christian intellectual of the 20th Century. Taken exclusively from Lewis’ private letters; his autobiography Surprised by Joy; and other key works including Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, God in the Dock and The Weight of Glory, The Most Reluctant Convert is a fast-paced story brimming with Lewis’ entertaining wit and thought-provoking insight. McLean will offer his trademark talk backs following each performance.

The new original play, Martin Luther on Trial, is written by Chris Cragin-Day and McLean and directed by Broadway’s Michael Parva (Irena’s Vow). On the eve of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Revolution, Luther’s nailing of his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenburg church on Oct. 31, 1517, continues to ignite religious and political controversies that spark intense debate. The cast includes Fletcher McTaggart (MFA George Washington University), Paul Schoeffler, Kersti Bryan, John Michalski, Mark Boyett and Leopold Lowe. McLean will present talk backs after the first week of performances.

New York City-based Fellowship for Performing Arts produces theatre from a Christian worldview presented in leading performance venues nationwide and created to engage diverse audiences. For more information visit www.FPAtheatre.com.

Tickets for C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert and Martin Luther on Trial are $29 - $59 and are available at Fellowship for Performing Arts online at www.fpatheatre.com, at Shakespeare Theatre Company Box Office or by calling 202-547-1122. Premium seats are also available. Patrons under 35 years of age and students with an ID may purchase ticket for $25 the day of the performance at the Shakespeare Theatre Company Box Office. For groups of 10 or more contact 866-476-8707 for discounted tickets. Venue service and facility fees will apply to all purchases.

Martin Luther on Trial

Written by Chris Cragin-Day and Max McLean

Michael Parva, Director

Ken Denison, Executive Producer

Kelly James Tighe, Set Design

Nicole Wee, Costume Design

Geoffrey D. Fishburn, Lighting Design

Quentin Chiappetta, Original Music and Sound Design

Aruba Productions, General Management

Carol Hanzel, Casting Director

Fletcher McTaggart as Luther

Paul Schoeffler as the Devil

Kersti Bryan as Katie Von Bora

John Michalski as St. Peter

Mark Boyett as Hitler, St. Paul, Rabbi Josel, Freud, Hans Luther and Pope Francis

Leopold Lowe as Tetzel, Confessor, Martin Luther King, Jr., The Holy Roman Emperor and Michael the Archangel

May 12-22, 2016

Thursdays at 7 PM; Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 3 & 8 PM; Sundays at 3 & 7:30 PM

Press Invited to Review: Sat., May 14 at 3 or 8 PM or Sun. May 15 at 3 or 7:30 PM

Run time: 2 hours, 10 minutes with a 10-minute intermission

Lansburgh Theatre

450 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Tickets: $29-$59

By phone: 202-547-1122 or Toll Free: 877-487-8849

On the web: www.fpatheatre.com

Discount tickets for patrons under 35 years of age and students with ID $25; available on the day of the performance with ID at the box office

Groups of 10 or more contact 866-476-8707