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Matt Shimkus as C.S. Lewis and Nolan Palmer as
Sigmund Freud
in Freud’s Last Session. Photo by Erik Stuhaug.
|
Due to high demand, shown through ticket sales, “Freud’s
Last Session” will be extending its run at Taproot Theatre until April 28,
2012. There is much to like with this award-winning play and is definitely not
one to be missed.
“Freud’s Last Session” tells the tale of C. S. Lewis, author
of the “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Screwtape Letters,” being asked to
meet Dr. Sigmund Freud, father of psychoanalysis, for tea. Freud, in old age,
is struggling with cancer. Lewis a young and feisty. Lewis believes in God,
Freud appears to believe in everything but God. They are the ultimate odd
couple. To add to this unique opportunity, there are air raid sirens heard
overhead adding to the tension in the room.
The Taproot stage is transformed by Scenic Designer, Mark
Lund, into a very realistic living room belonging to Freud complete with artwork
representing many of the world’s religions and a therapist’s couch. With the
actors standing mere feet from you, the audience gets the chance to be the
metaphorical flies on the wall listening in on the conversation. The pair talk about
everything from art, music, life and death, but every conversation comes back
to the existence of God.
Written by Mark St. Germain and directed by Producing Artist
Director Scott Nolte, “Freud’s Last Session” is enjoying its’ west coast
premiere of this Off-Broadway play. The fairly short production (there is no
intermission), feels less like a play and more like a real conversation between
two great men. With such a high brow concept, you might think that this piece
would be a snore-fest, but you would be wrong. The two talk less like intellectuals
and more like real men. Matt Shimkus, last seen playing Dietrich Bonhoeffer in
last year’s “The Beams are Creaking,” plays an effective Lewis, while the
fantastic Nolan Palmer is an incredible Freud. After 31 years with working with
Taproot, is there any role this guy can’t do? The conversation between the two
seems very natural, funny, thought-provoking and touching – all at the same
time.
You can catch “Freud’s Last Session” at 7:30 p.m. on
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays or catch the matiness
on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. A special senior matinee will be presented on April 11
also at 2:00 p.m. Taproot Theatre Company is located at 204 North 85th
Street in Seattle. Tickets range from $22-$37 ($15 for those age 25 and under)
and may be purchased online or by calling the box office at 206.781.9708.
(Originally posted on Examiner.com)
