Yearly Archives: 2013

A CLASH OF GREAT MINDS: ETC PRESENTS ONE OF THE LONGEST RUNNING OFF-BROADWAY SHOWS WITH FREUD’S LAST SESSION, JANUARY 23-FEBRUARY 10, 2013

(Cincinnati, OH) Two iconic minds showcase their wit as Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati continues its 2012-2013 season with the regional premiere of FREUD’S LAST SESSION, an electrifying evening of high-stakes intellectual sparring by Mark St. Germain centered upon an imagined conversation between the father of modern psychology Sigmund Freud and visionary writer C.S. Lewis. Having achieved the feat of becoming the longest running Off-Broadway show, FREUD’S LAST SESSION was suggested by “The Question of God” by Armand M. Nicholi, Jr. and plays January 23-February 10, 2013. Directed by Michael Evan Haney.

Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis, two of the 20th Century’s greatest intellects, come together in 1939 as England goes to war against the Nazis for an evening of thoughtful discourse about God, love, sex, myth, and the meaning of life and death. Freud, the renowned atheist and stricken with cancer, is intrigued by the rising star of Oxford, so much so that he invites Lewis to his home for what is, in several ways, an eleventh-hour summit. Freud would be dead within weeks, and Lewis—later the author of “The Narnia Chronicles,” would soon rise to popular acclaim for his wartime broadcasts on the Christian faith. Not just a powerful debate, this is a profound and deeply touching play about two men who boldly addressed the greatest questions of all time.

“I love the idea of Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis conversing together,” says ETC Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “To have open and passionate dialogue is healthy for the community. I am captivated by how alive the show is and that Mark St. Germain placed it on the precipice of World War II,” she continues. “Michael Haney is perfect for directing this show because he really puts himself into the personalities of the characters and making the passion of the story shine through. Barry Mulholland and Bruce Cromer have so much credibility not only as actors, but also for conveying truth on stage.”

Director Michael Evan Haney adds, “The opportunity to eavesdrop on two giants of the 20th century discussing the greatest questions before mankind is incredible. We get to see two men with diametrically opposing ideas have a civil, respectful, and loving argument with each other.”

About the Cast
Barry Mulholland (Dr. Sigmund Freud) most recently appeared at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati in End Days. More recently, he was seen at Cincinnati Shakespeare in A Man For All Seasons and Henry VIII: All Is True. Mr. Mulholland appeared off-Broadway in Wild Oats, Ghost Sonata, Faust, and Danton’s Death for Classic Stage Company, as well as the American premiere of Karen Sunde’s Balloon. West coast credits include a season with Seattle’s Intiman Theatre, three seasons with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and the L.A. Center Theatre production of Love Streams, with Gena Rowlands and Jon Voight, directed by John Cassavetes. He has worked extensively at regional theatres throughout the country including Capital Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Merrimack Rep, and Long Wharf. His plays Barnes and Noble Conquer the World and Existential Therapy were featured at the Love Creek Theatre in New York as part of their annual festival of new plays. 

Bruce Cromer (C.S. Lewis) has previously been seen at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati as Dan in the encore presentation of Next to Normal, Richard in Time Stands Still, Butch in Next Fall, Dylan in Wayfarer’s Rest, Dr. Smith in Blue/Orange, and the Librarian in Underneath the Lintel. He has been a proud AEA actor in American regional theatres for over thirty years, appearing at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the St. Louis Repertory, the Milwaukee Repertory, Santa Fe Stages, the Cincinnati Playhouse, the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Cincinnati Shakespeare, etc… Mr. Cromer is a Resident Artist with the Human Race Theatre in Dayton, the Head of Acting in the Professional Actor Training Program at Wright State University, and a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors.

About the Playwright
Mark St. Germain has written the plays Camping with Henry and Tom (Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel awards), Out of Gas on Lover’s Leap and Forgiving Typhoid Mary (Time Magazine “Year’s Ten Best”), all published by Samuel French and Dramatists Play Service. With Randy Courts, he has written the musicals The Gifts of the Magi, Johnny Pye and the Foolkiller (winner of an AT&T “New Plays for the Nineties Award”) and Jack’s Holiday at Playwrights Horizons. His musical Stand By Your Man, The Tammy Wynette Story was created for Nashville’s Ryman Theater. TV credits include Writer and Creative Consultant for “The Cosby Show.” He co-wrote the screenplay for Carroll Ballard’s Warner Brothers film Duma. Mark directed and co-produced the documentary My Dog, An Unconditional Love Story featuring Richard Gere, Glenn Close, Isaac Mizrahi, Edward Albee and many others. Mr. St. Germain wrote the children’s book Three Cups. He is an alumnus of New Dramatists where he was given the Joe A. Callaway Award, a recipient of the William Inge Festival’s New Voices in the American Theater Award, and a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Writer’s Guild East. He is a Board Member of the Barrington Stage Company, where he also serves as an Associate Artist. 

Production team includes Brian c. Mehring (Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer), Aaron Clements (Technical Operations Director), Matthew Hollstegge (Production Coordinator & Master Electrician), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), Benjamin Marcum (Sound Designer), and Reba Senske (Costume Designer). Stage Manager is Brandon T. Holmes.

Ticket Prices
Tickets are $38 for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday performances.
Tickets are $42 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday performances.

For the 2012-2013 season, ETC will continue its popular half-price rush tickets and $15 student rush tickets for all performances, which are available two hours prior to show time. Tickets and seating subject to availability.

Other Single Ticket Discounts
Military/Educator, Public Radio Perks Card, ArtsWave FunCard, AAA, Senior and Enjoy the Arts discounts available; tickets and seating are subject to availability. ETC accepts all major credit cards, Over-the-Rhine Merchant gift cards, and Downtown Cincinnati gift cards. Group rates are available for 10 or more people. A full list of available discounts and performance calendar is available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign. 

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. 

2012-2013 Season Presenting Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Season Sponsor: PNC Bank. Season Fairy Godmother Sponsor: William and Susan Friedlander. Additional support provided by Garfield Suites Hotel, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation. 

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich and inspire our audiences.