NEW MILFORD — Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis walk into an office … sounds like the beginning of a joke, right? It’s the fictitious scenario dreamed up by playwright Mark St Germain for his long-running Off-Broadway hit Freud’s Last Session, the just-opened production at TheatreWorks New Milford.

The thought-provoking play brings together two of the greatest minds of the 20th Century on the eve of World War II for a spirited debate.

As far as we know, these two intellectuals never met in real life but the comparison of their philosophies on life and death have been around since the late 60s when Armand Nicholi III wrote his book The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex and the Meaning of Life. That title essentially sums up the plot of Freud’s Last Session.

Lewis (portrayed by Chris Luongo) has accepted an invitation by Freud (Francis A. Daley), under the assumption that it will be a confrontation about Lewis’s recent inflammatory writings about Freud. What transpires is much more than that. Over the next 90 minutes the two exchange philosophies, spar and sometimes find themselves agreeing on topics they never imagined they would.

Much of the dialogue is lifted from both of their own writings with interspersed commentary from each and BBC radio broadcast announcements. St Germain takes some liberty on time lines, basing much of their debate on Lewis’s A Preface to Paradise Lost, which he would not write until nearly two years after the events of this play.

Daley also serves as director for this production, bringing this meeting of the minds to life in a masterfully directed production. Every movement of the actors is skillfully planned and purposeful. It is incredibly difficult to make a conversation between two people seem visually interesting, and Daley has made it work with ease.

Daley’s portrayal of Freud is close to perfection. He effortlessly portrays the famed doctor in the final months of his life. His use of physicality and his dialogue pacing has the audience hanging on every movement and word. He is a joy to watch.

Those who missed his performance a few years back in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance at TheatreWorks get the chance to once again witness a brilliant actor at work.

Luongo portrays Lewis with a deft witticism and lightheartedness that the character requires, bringing balance to this spirited debate. Luongo never disappoints, with a solid performance. A more perfect pairing for this play cannot be imagined.

There is an unspoken third character in this play and that is the set. Set Designer Leif Smith’s simple, yet incredibly detailed and beautiful re-creation of Freud’s office serves as the backdrop of the piece. Taking inspiration from Freud’s actual office, Smith takes some artistic liberties which pay off nicely.

Another mention should go to Costume Designer Sue Haneman, who provided exquisite period-appropriate suits for both characters.

In the end, do Lewis and Freud settle the debate over whether God exists? Spoiler alert: They do not. Whatever side of the argument you may be on, the one thing audiences can all agree on is Freud’s Last Session is a provocative evening of theater not to be missed.

Performances continue weekends to March 11, with curtain Friday and Saturday nights at 8 pm and one matinee on Sunday, March 5, at 2 pm. Tickets are $25 for reserved seating adults, $20 students, military personnel and veterans with ID.

The theater is at 5 Brookside Avenue in New Milford.

Reservations can be made online at theatreworks.us or by calling the box office at 860-350-6863.