Theatre in the Square opens its 2009-10 season with "The Savannah Disputation," running Aug. 12 through Sept. 13 on the main stage.

Theological fireworks explode an array of certainty and doubt in this Southern comedy when Catholics and an evangelical Christian dispute their religious differences.

When susceptible Catholic spinster Margaret politely admits door-to-door Pentecostal missionary Melissa into her Savannah home, her seemingly-solid faith starts to waver - much to the chagrin of her feisty sister, Mary.

"Plays that concern issues of faith have always held a strong attraction for me," says Director Jessica Phelps West. "They go to the source of who we are and what we are," she says.

This play is unusual because it is about believers in conflict with believers, rather than non-believers, West explains. "That's one of the reasons it attracted me."

"Not only has the Christian doctrine they have been taught to believe challenged but also what they earnestly believe of that doctrine to be true," she states.

The play is not about Catholics versus Protestants but a conflict about their own personal belief, West says. It puts into question what you believe versus what you have been taught to believe.

Written by Savannah native Evan Smith, the play premiered off-Broadway and has been produced in Chicago. Theatre in the Square's production is the Southern premiere of Smith's work

West, who visited Savannah and the playwright before production began, says Smith drew from his own background when he modeled the characters. She visited several of the sights mentioned in the play, including Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Catholic cemetery.

"I call it a thinking man's comedy because it definitely will make you laugh but it also will make you walk out of the theater thinking about your own belief system and what you've been taught."

As part of the opening night celebration of the southern work on Aug. 12, a best banana pudding contest will be held at TIS. Enter by purchasing a ticket to opening night. Marietta's dessert lady, Johnnie Gabriel, will judge the contest.

For tickets, call (770) 422-8369 or visit www.theatreinthesquare.com.