Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...It's only about 75 minutes, but that's about the right length for what is part biographical sketch, part monologue, delivered by McLean, as Lewis. If you are familiar with the work of Lewis (I'm a pretty much lifelong fan, in full disclosure), know that this piece, seemingly drawn at least partly from Lewis' "Surprised by Joy," is pitched early in the great writer's life. That would be before "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," and while he was hanging out regularly with his fellow youthful academic, J.R.R. Tolkien. As fans of the allegorical opus known as "The Lord of the Rings" well know, Tolkien was a man of faith long before Lewis."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...In 2008, actor-adapter-director Max McLean brought his production of C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters” to the Mercury Theater Chicago, where it became a huge (and surprising) box office hit. Now, in his new one-man show, “C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert,” McLean chronicles the writer’s journey from determined atheist to Christian believer with such wit, grace, braininess and economy that those on either side of the “God spectrum” are sure to delight in it."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...McLean underplays the major crises in Lewis's life, most notably his battlefield traumas in WW I, while repeating Wikipedia style the key facts of the writer's biography. Even Lewis's conversion from atheism to Christianity lacks fire. True, this choice to some extent reflects Lewis's own wry, understated account of his religious beliefs. Still, passion smolders behind Lewis's diffidence-a passion wholly missing here."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...Among the many reasons to attend C. S. Lewis onstage The Most Reluctant Convert is to experience the fantastic acting of Max McLean. He is among the finest skilled actors working in American theatre today. McLean tackles extremely challenging roles that require articulation, nuance and verbal dexterity. I have seen Max McLean impress in such complex works my C. S. Lewis (1898 - 1963) as The Screwtape Letters and Mark's Gospel. He was electrifying in both. Now with C. S. Lewis onstage The Most Reluctant Convert McLean takes on the challenge of presenting Lewis' transformation from atheism back to Anglican Christianity."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"... C.S. Lewis was a fascinating man – according to his biography, an author, an essayist, a poet, literary critic, academic, broadcaster, lecturer, and Christian apologist. His intellectual journey from youthful atheist to Catholic convert is the subject of “C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert”, a one-man show starring Max McLean"
NewCity Chicago - Recommended
"...Stoppard-esque, the literary and philosophical clues to Lewis' journey come so fast and furiously that only a university don might easily follow them. Starring in his own adaptation, McLean is a competent performer, although his lengthy monologue stalled for variance of passions. This performance will be enjoyed by the very well-read individual who has crept through the door of their spirit-wardrobe to resolve a crisis of faith."
