“Lewis & Tolkien” Stage Play Arrives at Museum of the Bible’s World Stage Theater This Fall
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 16, 2025 — Museum of the Bible is proud to announce the premiere of Lewis & Tolkien, a new stage play written by Dean Batali (That ‘70s Show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and directed by Andrew Borba. Opening October 30, 2025, and running through November 30, in its World Stage Theater, this compelling production imagines a fictional reunion between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, two of the most influential literary minds of the 20th century.
“Lewis and Tolkien are literary giants whose stories from Narnia to Lord of the Rings are deeply ingrained in culture and our personal lives,” said Matthias Walther, chief marketing officer at Museum of the Bible. “This play captures not only their academic and theological brilliance but also the humanity of two friends wrestling with joy, grief, and reconciliation. Their imagination and worldview were shaped by the transformative power of the Bible. We are excited to share this inspiring depiction of what their artistic dialogue might have looked like with people from all backgrounds.”
Set in the legendary Eagle and Child pub in Oxford, Lewis & Tolkien invites audiences into the private world of the Inklings—the fellowship of writers and scholars whose conversations shaped generations. Through laughter, debate, and heartfelt reflection, the play explores the creative and spiritual tensions that both united and divided the men behind The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings.
Actors Arye Gross and Bo Foxworth portray Lewis and Tolkien, respectively, and Anna DiGiovanni plays a waitress named Veronica.
Gross, best known for films like Minority Report, Big Eden, and Gone in Sixty Seconds, will be playing J.R.R. Tolkien. Other film roles include For the Boys, Grey Gardens, Coupe de Ville and The Experts. He has played many recurring roles in Castle, Wildfire, Ellen, and Better Call Saul. His previous theater roles include Birds of North America, Donald Margulies' Brooklyn Boy, After the Revolution (Baltimore Center Stage), and more.
Foxworth, who has worked in New York and regional theaters across the country, will be co-leading as C.S. Lewis. He was last seen in Washington, D.C., in the Shakespeare Theatre’s production of Hamlet. His other stage appearances include As Bees in Honey Drown and Antaeus Theatre Company’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Henry IV, Macbeth and more. Foxworth has also had film and TV roles in Modern Family, Veep and HBO’s All the Way.
DiGiovanni has played in theaters across the country but is best known for her performances on stage at Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage, Shakespeare Theatre Company and The Kennedy Center.
“Lewis and Tolkien were more than literary giants,” says playwright Dean Batali. “They were friends, critics, and ultimately—pilgrims on parallel journeys. This play is a tribute to their passion, their pain, and their enduring belief in the power of story.”
Lewis & Tolkien is a 90-minute production presented in association with MWO Productions. Performances begin October 30 at Museum of the Bible's World Stage Theater. For showtimes and tickets, visit www.museumoftheBible.org/events/lewis-and-tolkien.
About Museum of the Bible
Museum of the Bible is an apolitical, non-sectarian organization that invites all people to engage with the transformative power of the Bible. Located just three blocks from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the stunning 430,000-square-foot museum showcases rare and fascinating artifacts spanning 4,000 years of history and immersive experiences exploring the Bible. In addition to its educational programs, exhibits and experiences, Museum of the Bible hosts the beautiful 480-seat World Stage Theater. To learn more, visit museumoftheBible.org.
CONTACT: Kellie Koch, PR Manager, kellie.koch@mBible.org