The Grand Ballroom was the perfect setting for “Freud's Last Session” by Mark St. Germain, the latest offering by Hobnob Theatre Company which opens to the public Friday.

Set in Freud's study, the 67-minute show is basically a conversation, or debate, about many things from sex to suicide, cancer and death, and even homosexuality all from two diametrically opposing points of view.

I found it hard to believe that a mere conversation between two intelligent men was one of the best shows I've seen all year.

Both of the actors brought history to life in what might have been a seriously life changing dialogue between two of the greatest minds of the times. Their chemistry was spot on, the give and take and the banter was incredibly believable. Bottom line, these two nailed it.

The Christian Worldview was presented by Justin Anderson who adeptly captured the character C.S. Lewis in a remarkable manner. His sense of humor as well as his wit and sarcasm where all compellingly conveyed with the enthusiasm of the post-convert Lewis.

Stefan Lingenfelter channeled Freud in an equally compelling fashion. He was eerily old and haggard and his German accent was flawless. His portrayal of the darkness of a dying man seemed effortless.

Initially I felt a bit of trepidation that I was entering a classroom and would have to think versus be entertained, but from the first introduction, the conversation was stimulating and enjoyable.

Both Freud and Lewis had similar experiences in life with relationships and loss. Each had to wade through a fair amount of grief and tragedy, but one man was propelled to a saving knowledge of salvation through his belief in God while the other was stoically opposed to even believing that God existed at all, or so it seemed.

The dialogue delved into exploring the two opposing world views and how the views provided a filter through which each man experienced and processed life, love and relationships. Lewis trailed Freud by a generation so the playwright, using the writings of each man, devised the clever script putting their arguments side by side in real time, bringing not only life to their words but a parallelism to their thoughts.

The show is both thought provoking and surprisingly entertaining with well crafted and expertly delivered dialogue. The play is based on a course entitled “The Question of God” taught by Harvard professor Armand Nicholi which PBS profiled several years ago.

The shows on Friday and Saturday nights will feature some question-and-answer sessions with a couple of the areas brightest minds on this topic.

The panel for Friday night will feature Dr. Kevin Seybold from the psychology department at Grove City College and the Rev. Andrew DeFusco, rector at St. Peter's Anglican Church. The Saturday night panel will include DeFusco and Dr. Elizabeth Boerger from the psychology department at Slippery Rock University.

WHO: Hobnob Theatre CompanyWHAT: “Freud’s Last Session”WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday through SundayWHERE: Grand Ballroom at Cornerstone Commons, 201 S. Main St.TICKETS: $10, online at www.hobnobtheatre.com/tickets or by phone at 412-736-1204