Max McLean Brings "Screwtape" To Life

I have a passion for reading books. With so many yet to be read, I rarely circle back and read the same book more than once. An exception is Mere Christianity, by the late, great, heavenly gifted C.S. Lewis.

To that short list of repeat reads I will soon add The Screwtape Letters, the 1942 Lewis book that catapulted him to literary renown.

When I first read Screwtape, about five years ago, I found it to be a richly told, insightful and, at times, hilarious look at an uncle-and-nephew demon team's efforts to snare the soul of a man in World War II England.

So when a friend from Harvest Bible Chapel organized a "date night" for couples last Friday night to see the current stage production of Screwtape, at the Mercury Theater in Chicago, I leapt at the chance.

The 90-minute show was tremendously, wickedly good. Max McLean, who has played the Screwtape role for about 200 shows, was a commanding, powerful presence. And his sidekick, Yvonne Gougelet, played his cat/secretary, Toadpipe, with remarkable energy. Without uttering an intelligible word, she communicated so such as she encompassed a wide physical range assisting Screwtape and embodying various personalities he conjures.

After the show, McLean (pictured with me) graciously fielded questions and shared insights about the process he undertakes to perform. The impromptu 15- to 20-minute Q and A with me, Bridgett, and a friend were almost as rewarding as the show itself.

Radio personality Mancow Muller was among those who attended the show, and I told McLean that Mancow was profiled by Cathleen Falsani in her excellent book, The God Factor.

Interestingly, Mancow had interviewed McLean for his show recently. At one point, off the air, McLean mentioned his own Christian "conversion experience" at 23 years old, he told me. Mancow, however, did not discuss his own Christian faith with McLean, the actor noted. Falsani outlines Mancow's spiritual side in The God Factor, and McLean was intrigued to check out the book, not only to read Mancow's journey but those of the many others profiled, spanning an array of faiths.

You can learn more about McLean at MaxMcLean.com and The Screwtape Letters' production at Screwtape On Stage.

This is an occasional blog on various musings and experiences. To read more about my professional work, visit the Inside Edge PR blog.

Chester Arthur Photo and Mention

Our 21st U.S. president, the relatively obscure Chester A. Arthur.

Ask your neighbor/friend/postal carrier if they've ever heard of him, and see how few have! He served precisely one century before Ronald Reagan, taking over in 1881 after the death of James Garfiled (everyone's heard of him) and serving until 1885. He died the next year. His sideburns live on!

In fact, below you can see a November 2008 photo of my facial-hair interpretation of Chet--which my wife let me keep for about 11 minutes.



This is an occasional blog on various musings and experiences. To read more about my professional work, visit the Inside Edge PR blog.

Athletes For Life & Five Seasons Team Up

I did a heart-stress test via the Athletes For Life mobile unit the other day, at the Five Seasons Sports Club in Burr Ridge.

A great cause, and some great people behind it: Athletes For Life's website.

For more on the efforts at Five Seasons: See my PR blog.

Check out the video below for more background:

Warning: Contagious Video

Reminiscing About Red & Roundball

Found this video online of legendary Boston Celtics coach (and GM) Red Auerbach and it brought back memories of August 1985 (around the time this video was shot, I'd estimate.)

At that time, I was about to enter my senior year of high school and was attending the Red Auerbach Basketball Camp in my hometown of Marshfield, Mass. Along with another basketball player, I was picked to demonstrate a 1-on-1 move that Red had just explained.

I shot from about 15 feet away and the ball bounded off the rim--a respectable miss, I thought, at least not an airball. Next thing I know, Red is hollering, "Hey! What did I just finish explaining to you?!?"

I was mute, as Red grabbed the ball and (re)lectured me and a few hundred other players about the importance of "shooting with the seams" of the ball. Doing so helps ensure that balls won't spin off the rim, he explained, but will instead drop into the basket.

Today, 23 years and thousands of shots later, I instinctively grasp for the seams on most every shot I take. Alas, having the proper rotation is no help when I fire airballs, which is more often than I would care to admit.

Another Thing I Did This Summer!

En route back from New England, a side-trip to Niagara Falls. Man, it's wet!

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

This photo came during a visit to The Scottish Home picnic in North Riverside, Illinois. Click on the picture to get a closer look.

Nothing like teaching your children the good values of competition! Note Zachary and Maggie Rose to my immediate left. We're all looking toward the man who was crowned champion of the banana cream pie-eating contest.

I was runner-up. Wait till next year!

Helicopter Debut

From the random photos file....

My one time in a helicopter, thus far: December 2000, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Tip: never eat licorice and apples, then take notes, while in a chopper. Tip II: if you ignore Tip I, then be sure to have a barf bag handy.