Two minds come together for deep conversation

It’s a meeting of great minds. But what happens when Sigmund Freud meets C.S. Lewis on the eve of World War II?

This is the plot of Mark St. Germain’s “Freud’s Last Session,” which is being produced by Fusion Theatre Company.

The play just finished a two-year run in New York and won the Off Broadway Alliance Award for best play this year. Fusion is staging the play’s regional premiere.

	If you go WHAT: “Freud’s Last Session” WHEN and WHERE: 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4 at The Cell Theatre, 700 First NW; 8 p.m. Nov. 8-9; 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 10, 6 p.m. Nov. 11, 8 p.m. Nov. 14 and 8 p.m. Nov. 15 at the South Broadway Cultural Center, 1025 Broadway SE; 8 p.m. Nov. 16, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 17 at Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W. San Francisco, Santa Fe HOW MUCH: $35 general, $30 seniors, $10 students for Albuquerque shows. Tickets are available at www.fusionnm.org or at 766-9412. Tickets for Santa Fe shows are $20-$40 general, $10 students and available are at www.ticketssantafe.org or 505-988-1234

Dennis Gromelski, executive director of Fusion, says the company is always looking to present the regional premieres of works of extraordinary merit, most often direct from the New York or London stage.

“‘Freud’s Last Session’ fits this bill perfectly, as the production recently concluded a two-year run in Manhattan, and is now beginning production internationally,” he explains. “This piece is a terrific theatrical work, emotionally and intellectually stimulating.”

St. Germain imagines what a meeting between these two great thinkers would have been like. Sigmund Freud – an atheist – invites C.S. Lewis – an atheist who converted to Christianity – for tea on Sept. 3, 1939. This happens to be the day that Great Britain declares war on Nazi Germany. The city of London is in tumult preparing for war, but Lewis and Freud decide to continue their conversation as planned.

The two men’s discussion ranges over various topics: the meaning of love, the existence of God, the reason for suffering, etc. As they talk, they share life experiences and discover that they have more in common than they think. While neither Freud nor Lewis changes his mind, each develops a deep respect for the other.

Director Jacqueline Reid says although the men tackle the mentioned issues, one word that never comes into play is “argue.”

“These two men are so smart and so secure in their stances on God and the nature of reality that are 180 degrees apart, they do not need affirmation; they don’t need to convince or sway,” she explains. “The intimacy of their human connection transcends differences. It is, in this election year, a hope that paralyzing bi-partisanship can be healed. And lest the audience think this is ‘just’ a conversation, there is much laughter, music, gas masks, water and blood.”

When it came to casting the two roles, Reid was thrilled to have her first choice of actors for the production. Scott Harrison was cast as Lewis and Gregory Wagrowski is Freud.

“I have had the immense fortune to work with both men …,” she says. “They are brilliant, professional artists who listen acutely and feel deeply. Moreover, they are able to convey specific impressions using a play’s text that inspire deep interaction with the audience. I think the genius of the text is St. Germain’s ability to use the exact words historically of these men and lay out an argument that is perfectly balanced between two choices, like free will.”

Gromelski says it’s a rare instance for a member of the company’s creative team to actually see a play before Fusion decides to produce the work.

“Our plays are chosen primarily on their merit as works of literature with cultural importance,” he explains.

Along with “Freud’s Last Session,” Fusion will present “Boardroom to Boards” at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2 and doors will open at 5 p.m. for the catered event. The “pay what you wish” performance will take place at 2 p.m. Nov. 10.