'Freud's Last Session' opens at Front Porch Theatre

On the day that England enters World War II, Dr. Sigmund Freud invites the young Oxford scholar C.S. Lewis into his home to talk (and clash) about love, sex, God and the meaning of life.

That's the premise of "Freud's Last Session," the play with which Front Porch Theatre opens its fifth season at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts.

Shows are 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 6-7 and 13-14. Matinees are at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 and 15. Tickets are $20 and on sale now.

Written by Mark St. Germain, "Freud’s Last Session" is filled with humor that explores the minds, hearts and souls of two brilliant men addressing the greatest questions of all time.

            Matt Lutz, Front Porch Theatre’s new artistic director, takes the part of C.S. Lewis.

“For the last four seasons, the Front Porch Theatre has chosen an eclectic mix of comedies and thought-provoking dramas,” he said. “I chose 'Freud’s Last Session' because it fits very comfortably in both of those genres, while also offering its audiences plenty to think about and discuss.”

A native of Western North Carolina, Lutz has returned to the mountains after 14 years in Los Angeles and New York City. He has a rich résumé that includes the Broadway stage ("Bonnie & Clyde," in the original cast and recording), film ("A Walk to Remember," "Bringing Down the House") and television ("McBride," "Boston Public," "Las Vegas," "7th Heaven" and "Dawson's Creek").

Freud is played by award-winning actor Kelley Hinman who studied with Sanford Meisner at Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City and was a member of the acclaimed Actors Co-op in Hollywood, appearing in numerous productions. He received a Drama-Logue for his performance as Dr. Wilson in "Terra Nova" by Ted Tally. His family to Asheville in 2007, and he continues to work in theater, film and television.       

The 75-minute work is directed by Callan White who has directed five main stage productions at Montreat College: "Proof," "The Apple Tree," "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten," "The Little Prince" and "Terra Nova." She spent 20 years acting in television, in film, and on stage with leading roles at NC Stage, Berkeley Rep, the Long Wharf Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre. White has had guest starring roles on such shows as "Star Trek," "Crossing Jordan," "The Practice," "Chicago Hope," "JAG," "Strong Medicine" and "L.A. Law." Audiences may remember her for her role as Anne Alden on ABC’s "Loving" for many years.

The ensemble plans to discuss the work and its concepts after the performances, perhaps with experts on hand to facilitate the conversation. For tickets or more information, call 669-0930 or visit blackmountainarts.org.