David Payne Brings Christmas with C.S. Lewis to Chicago

Jul 18, 2023
Christmas With C.S. Lewis at Broadway Playhouse in Chicago

Grab your tickets now for CHRISTMAS WITH C.S. LEWIS, a global sensation that's set to dazzle Chicago this upcoming December! The show will be performed at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place for an limited run from December 5 to December 10.

In his early adult years, C.S. Lewis dismissed the story of Jesus' birth as merely a comforting myth. However, this belief took a significant turn after a transformative conversation with his dear friend and fellow writer, J.R.R. Tolkien. Both men shared a passion for mythology, but Tolkien believed the narrative of Jesus to be the truest myth of all. This discussion sparked Lewis' journey from Atheism to Christianity and endowed Christmas with an entirely new significance for him. The play presents Lewis hosting a group of American visitors at his Oxford-adjacent home on Christmas Eve, immersing them in a poignant mix of Yuletide reminiscences that evoke a spectrum of emotions - intrigue, laughter, joy, and even some tears. Importantly, they come to understand how that pivotal conversation with Tolkien permanently altered his perception and celebration of Christmas.

Christmas with C.S. Lewis at Broadway Playhouse in Chicago

In 1962, C.S. Lewis, the renowned British author, is in the later stages of his life. He is entertaining a contingent of American writers at his residence on the outskirts of Oxford, who have traveled to listen to him narrate about the pivotal events and individuals who sculpted his life.

Given the Christmas season, Lewis also shares his personal perspective on this joyful holiday. As anticipated from such a skilled speaker, the attendees are regaled with an exhibition of eloquent speech and wit that cements Lewis's status as one of England's most esteemed public orators.

This potent, yet personal depiction offers the opportunity to spend a captivating evening with a man whose literature has profoundly transformed millions of lives.

You'll find yourself laughing, rejoicing, potentially shedding tears, and undeniably leaving with a celebration of a magnificent author who gifted the world with the Chronicles of Narnia and a Christian legacy unparalleled by most.

David Payne, who debuted as C.S. Lewis in the 1990s, has since established himself as the preeminent Lewis impersonator worldwide. He has graced the stage as C.S. Lewis in over a thousand shows, captivating nearly 750,000 audience members. There appears to be a mystical bond between Payne and his audiences, creating a palpable sense that they are in the presence of the renowned author, academic, and humorist. The level of immersion is so profound that attendees will feel as though they are experiencing the essence of Lewis himself through Payne's masterful portrayal.