Solo show in SF recounts C.S. Lewis’ odd religious journey

One of the more intriguing things about the life of famed “Chronicles of Narnia” author C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) is that he grew up in a religious family that attended the Church of Ireland but became, at age 15, a staunch atheist, most likely due to his conviction that prayers for his beloved mother, who died when he was 10, had fallen on either deaf or nonexistent ears.

But by midlife, he had returned to faith as an Anglican and become one of the most cogent apologists for Christianity, renowned for both his writings and his World War II radio broadcasts on the subject.

His candid recollections of his struggles are the subject of a one-man stage show starring actor Max McLean, who will be bringing his “The Most Reluctant Convert” show to San Francisco for two performances this week. McClean, who has also mounted productions of Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters,” is founder and artistic director of Fellowship for Performing Arts, a New York City-based producer of live theater from a Christian perspective.

Details: 4 and 8 p.m. June 22, Herbst Theatre, San Francisco; $39-$89; 415-392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com.