Tag: classic plays

Theater review: ‘Freud’s Last Session’ at the Cellar Theater

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Wesley Deitrick as Sigmund Freud and John Sillwaggon as C.S. Lewis in the Cellar Theater’s ‘Freud’s Last Session.’ Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission. 

Now playing at The Public Theater’s Cellar Theater is ‘Freud’s Last Session’ by Mark St. Germain as suggested by Dr. Armand M. Nicholi Jr. This thought-provoking play centers around Dr. Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis as they debate about God’s existence, life, love and other subjects. It plays until Sunday May 12, and after a highly successful run, the last four performances are already sold out. Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. Contact the box office at (210) 733-7258 for more information about possible waiting lists.

‘Freud’s Last Session’ is set in Freud’s office on September 3, 1939 as war with Germany seems all but certain. Freud, (Wesley Deitrick) the 83-year-old Jewish refugee from Vienna, invites Lewis (John Stillwaggon), the 40-year-old World War I veteran visiting from Oxford, to his office. He wants to meet Lewis to find out why such an obviously smart man would embrace religion. Lewis is late because the trains are being commandeered to help evacuate London’s schools, hospital and jails in anticipation of bombing raids. During their visit, the air raid sirens go off, triggering one of Lewis’ PTSD episodes. They discuss God, humor, Jesus’ teachings, sex, monogamy, Hitler, homosexuality and music, among other ideas. They examine each of their childhoods and how it shaped the men they became. The controversial topic of suicide comes up because Freud has oral cancer and has considered it many times because he is in constant pain (he passes away weeks later from medically assisted suicide). Everything is going smoothly until after a heated discussion, Freud is undone by the immense pain from his sickness. The only other interruptions are the radio news bulletins from the BBC. It ends on an ironic note, as King George VI addresses the British people, telling them that “with God’s help” they would prevail over Germany.

Even though Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis probably never met in real life, St. Germain makes effective use of their writings and those of Dr. Armand M. Nicholi Jr.’s ‘The Question of God’ for this excellent meeting of the minds. It is not an attempt at conversion either way, just a civilized discussion of differing ideologies. Such discussions are often heated, but Freud and Lewis part as friends, not allowing their differences to go beyond points of view. Highlights include when Lewis tells Freud that history is filled with monsters, yet humanity survives and Freud counters by stating that humanity cannot survive without villains; and when Lewis gets defensive when Freud grills him about his book “The Pilgrim’s Regress” to which Freud responds “when you put your opinions to the public, expect the public to react.” Under the direction of David Rinear, it is relevant to today’s volatile society because it makes the point that it is possible to have differences of opinions without resorting to name calling and vicious vitriol. With strong performances by Deitrick and Stillwaggon, ‘Freud’s Last Session’ is recommended for audiences who appreciate smart debates and it is sure spark discussions about the topics mentioned. Definitely a must-see.

‘The Little Foxes’ at the Classic Theatre

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‘The Little Foxes’ opens at the Classic Theatre on Friday May 3. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission. 

Coming up next month at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is ‘The Little Foxes,’ written by Lillian Hellman and directed by Melissa Utley. This classic drama opens on Friday May 3 and will run through Sunday May 26. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are $33 for general admission, $29 for senior, military, educator or SATCO, and $18 for student and are available online or at the box office by calling (210) 589-8450. Proper ID is required. On opening night, there will be a complimentary champagne reception after the show. (The Classic Theatre, 2019)

‘The Little Foxes’ is a 1939 play set in a small Alabama town in 1900. The title comes from Chapter 2, Verse 15 of the Song of Solomon in the King James version of the Bible, which reads, “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.” In pursuit of the American Dream, this riveting story captures the life of a Southern family who has decided to partner together to pursue the biggest business deal that will make-or-break their lives. But as the financial dream gets bigger and tensions rise, where do the pieces for this family’s future fall?

Special Student Performances – Thursday May 9 at 7p.m.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450

‘Freud’s Last Session’ at the Cellar Theater

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Wesley Deitrick as Sigmund Freud and John Stillwaggon as C.S. Lewis in ‘Freud’s Last Session.’ Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission. 

Opening this Friday April 19 at The Public Theater’s Cellar Theater is ‘Freud’s Last Session’ by Mark St. Germain. This thought-provoking play centers around Dr. Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis as they debate about God’s existence, life, love and other subjects. It runs until Sunday May 12. Tickets are available online or at the box office by calling (210) 733-7258. Prices are $35 for adults, $30 for military members with ID and seniors age 60 and older and $25 for students with ID. Group rates are available for groups of ten or more. Additional ticket service fees may apply. There will be a post-show reception on opening night. Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. (Cellar Theater, 2019)

In ‘Freud’s Last Session,’ Dr. Sigmund Freud invites the young C.S. Lewis to his home in London. On the day England enters World War Two, Freud and Lewis clash about love, sex, the existence of God and the meaning of life, just weeks before Freud took his own life. Crisp and carefully calibrated, this story is deeply touching and filled with humor while exploring the minds, hearts and souls of two brilliant men that are addressing the greatest questions of all time. Cast includes Wesley Deitrick as Sigmund Freud and John Stillwaggon as C.S. Lewis with David Rinear as Director.

Cellar Theater
800 W. Ashby Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-7258

Theater review: ‘The Trip to Bountiful’ at The Classic Theatre

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‘The Trip to Bountiful’ plays at The Classic Theatre until Sunday March 10. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission. 

After a successful sold-out opening weekend, ‘The Trip to Bountiful’ continues this week at The Classic Theatre. This Horton Foote play tells the story of Carrie Watts, an elderly woman who longs to escape a cramped Houston apartment and return to her beloved hometown of Bountiful, Texas one last time before she dies. It runs until Sunday March 10 with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are available online or at the box office by calling (210) 589-8450. The show is two hours long with no intermission.

‘The Trip to Bountiful’ is set in 1940s Texas, where Carrie Watts (Magda Porter), an elderly woman, lives with her son, Ludie (Steven Starr) and his wife Jessie Mae (Alison Bridget Chambers), in a Houston apartment. The story begins on a moonlit night in their apartment where while Jessie Mae sleeps, Mrs. Watts comforts Ludie, who is also unable to sleep, and they share a long-ago family memory. She has a history of running off and trying to get to Bountiful so now she is constantly watched by Jessie Mae, whose interests are beauty shops and movie magazines. Mrs. Watts hides her pension check from Jessie Mae and the next morning she leaves with her bags after Ludie and Jessie Mae leave the apartment. She manages to catch a bus to the closest town near Bountiful, since there is no stop there anymore because the town is abandoned. There she meets Thelma (Emily Huber), a young lady who is on her way to her parents until her husband returns from the military. Thelma helps her find her way to Bountiful but Ludie and Jessie Mae track her down. Content that she got to see her hometown one more time, Mrs. Watts makes her peace with Ludie and Jessie Mae and they return to Houston.

Nostalgia is what drives some people to long for a return to simpler times, usually a childhood home or hometown, but time does not stand still for anyone. Carrie Watts yearned to return to Bountiful but once she got there, its residents had moved on and the town had ceased to exist. Yet the memories and emotions the trip stirred in her were enough to temporarily soothe her troubles. Magda Porter does an excellent job of bringing Carrie to life and brings the audience along with her to experience her rollercoaster of emotions. The highlight is the emotional scene when she breaks down at the bus station at the thought of not making it to Bountiful after all she went through. This talented cast works well together, especially during the set changes, and give brilliant performances all around. Nostalgia, the human condition and relatable characters make ‘The Trip to Bountiful’ a must-see timeless classic.

‘The Trip to Bountiful’ at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio

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‘The Trip to Bountiful’ opens at The Classic Theatre’ on Friday February 15. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission. 

Coming up this month at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is ‘The Trip to Bountiful,’ written by Texas playwright Horton Foote and directed by John O’Neill. This American drama opens on Friday February 15 and will run through Sunday March 10. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are $33 for general admission, $29 for senior, military, educator or SATCO and $18 for students.  They are available online or at the box office by calling (210) 589-8450. Proper ID is required. On opening night, there will be a complimentary champagne reception after the show. (The Classic Theatre, 2019)

‘The Trip to Bountiful’ tells the story of Carrie Watts, an elderly woman who longs to escape a cramped Houston apartment and return to her beloved hometown of Bountiful, Texas one last time before she dies. But when dreams do not match up with reality, what does Carrie have to fall back on? Cast includes Alison Bridget Chambers, Joe De Mott, Jana Drew, Emily Huber, Chris Miller, Russell Oldmixon, Magda Porter, Steven Starr, Chad Thompson and Hunter Wulff.

Special Student Performances – Thursday February 28 at 7p.m.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450

‘You Can’t Take It With You’ at The Classic Theatre

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‘You Can’t Take It With You’ opens at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio on Friday September 8, 2017.  Photo: The Classic Theatre, used with permission.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is starting off their 10th season with the comedic play ‘You Can’t Take It With You’ by George S Kaufman and Moss Hart. It is directed by Mark Stringham and stars Andy Thornton, Catherine Babbitt, Jim Mammarella, Christi Eanes, Byrd Bonner, Allan S. Ross, Randee Lutterloh and Megan VanDyke. Opening night is Friday September 8 and it will run until Sunday October 1, 2017. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are $32 for general admission, $28 for seniors, military, educators and SATCO and $17 for students. They are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450. On opening night, there will be a complimentary champagne reception and after the show on Sunday September 24 attendees can participate in Community Talk Back. (The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, 2017)

‘You Can’t Take It With You’ is set in New York City in the large house of an eccentric family and the story unfolds in three acts. It won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and was adapted into a feature film which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director. It is a madcap, idealistic comedy that reinforces the idea that people can only live life to the fullest by doing whatever makes them truly happy. Grandpa Vanderhof and his wacky family, the Sycamores, have been happily living their zany lives in his house for many years. When practical young Alice Sycamore becomes engaged to her company’s Vice President Tony Kirby, the clan must straighten up to meet the new in-laws. Despite the best laid plans, disaster follows.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450

Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ at The Classic Theatre

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Allan Ross as Prospero, Grace Lamberson as Miranda and Hunter Wulff as Ferninand in The Classic Theatre of San Antonio’s production of ‘The Tempest.’ Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

The mission of The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is to produce classic plays with contemporary connections and this continues with their next production. William Shakespeare’s comedy ‘The Tempest’ opens at The Classic Theatre stage on Friday February 17 and will run until Sunday March 12, 2017. This is considered one of Shakespeare’s last and greatest work and is part fairy tale and part romance with a touch of magic. The story is set on a remote island where Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place as princess of Milan using illusion and skillful manipulation. It features begrudged creatures and drunken clowns, charmed royals and magical spirits who all struggle between the temptation for revenge and the grace of forgiveness and humility. Mark McCarver is the director and co-founder Allan S Ross stars as Prospero and Grace Lamberson as Miranda. (The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, 2017)

Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Ticket prices are $25 for general admission, $20 for senior, military, educator or SATCO and $10 for students and are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450. There will be a complimentary champagne reception on opening night Friday February 17, 2017. Following the Sunday March 5 show at 3p.m. there will be a ‘Community Talk Back’ discussion about the play.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450