Riverside Theatre to Stage FREUD'S LAST SESSION This Spring

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, present Mark St. Germain's insightful play, FREUD'S LAST SESSION playing the Waxlax Stage from March 22 - April 3, 2016. FREUD'S LAST SESSION is sponsored by Dick and Rosemary Haverland and Riverside Theatre's 2015-2016 Patron Producers Group.

Set in London in 1939 on the day Germany invades Poland, two of the most prominent intellectuals of the time, Sigmund Freud and C. S. Lewis, meet for the very first time. The two enter into a witty, intellectual discussion touching on love, religion, politics and life.

Known as the father of psychoanalysis, Austrian neurologist Freud, fled Nazi persecution in 1938 and settled in England while Lewis, a renowned British novelist, lay theologian, and professor, was born Catholic, became an atheist at age 15, and converted to the Anglican Church in 1931.

Freud, an atheist, is curious as to why Lewis suddenly reversed his position and now believes in God. Lewis, still relatively young, argues cogently about his conversion to orthodox Christianity. The discussion is especially poignant since Freud sees himself passing into nothingness. Is Freud seeking self-analysis as well as seeking to understand Lewis's conversion?

The men challenge each other with a clash of ideas and experiences as the future becomes clouded with Britain's entry into the war. With gentle humor and sharp dialogue, FREUD'S LAST SESSION is insightful and compelling.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION ran for two years Off-Broadway. Playwright Mark St. Germain, known for writing historical fiction and creating vivid, imagined dialogue between personalities, won the Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Awards for Camping with Henry and Tom. He has written over a dozen plays, which have been produced all over the world. He has written for television and film as well as an award-winning children's book, Three Cups. He also wrote and produced the documentary, My Dog: an Unconditional Love Story, starring Richard Gere, Glenn Close, and Lynn Redgrave. Mark is an Associate Artist of the Barrington Stage Company, a recipient of the William Inge Festival's New Voices Award, and a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Writer's Guild East.

Riverside Theatre's production of FREUD'S LAST SESSION is Directed and Scenic Designed by Allen D. Cornell and stars Steve Brady as Sigmund Freud and David Schmittou as C.S. Lewis.

The production crew includes Anna Hillbery (Costume Design), Jason Stefansen (Lighting Design), Josh Schacht (Sound Design) and Audrey M. Brown (Production Stage Manager).

FREUD'S LAST SESSION performs March 22 - April 3, 2016 on the Waxlax Stage at Riverside Theatre. Performances are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesdays, select Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $45. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.

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