Writers' Theatre in Glencoe, IL, is serving the world premiere comedy, directed by artistic director Michael Halberstam.

Smith pennned Off-Broadway's The Uneasy Chair and Psych.

The production opens the troupe's 16th season and runs to Nov. 25 at Writers' Theatre at 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe. Opening night is Sept. 26.

According to Writers' Theatre notes, "Smith, known for his wildly eclectic thematic writing, employs his trademark sharpness of wit and draws a compelling portrait of the conflicts between dogma, faith and the wildly variant interpretations of biblical texts depending upon the point of view and needs of the reader."

Director Halberstam stated, "It's a marvelous feeling to be producing a world premiere play from a living playwright with whom we have an ongoing relationship. We have a long history of world premiere adaptations, but this is deliciously new territory for us. The Word and the Artist are very much at the forefront of The Savannah Disputation. Four of Chicago's finest actors are collaborating to bring to life this play which manages to tackle the matter of faith without judging the actions of its characters. Consequently, we are left to ask our own questions and reflect on our own relationship to the issues at hand. Of course, because it's an Evan Smith play, it also offers a landscape which is rich with laughter and sympathy." The cast includes Marilynn Bogetich (Mary), Linda Kimbrough (Margaret), Suzanne Lang (Melissa) and Robert Scogin (Father Murphy).

The designers are Keith Pitts (scenic), Josh Schmidt (sound), Keith Parham (lighting), Janice Pytel (costume) and Jenniffer Thusing (properties). LaRonika Thomas is the dramaturg. David F. Castellanos is the production stage manager.

Smith was born and raised in Savannah, GA, where he attended Benedictine Military School. He has a BA in English from Vassar College and an MFA in playwriting from the Yale School of Drama. His play Servicemen was produced by the New Group in New York City and New York Stage and Film in Poughkeepsie, NY. Both The Uneasy Chair and Psych were produced by Playwrights Horizons in New York City.

Writers' Theatre's executive director is Kathryn M. Lipuma.

For more information visit www.writerstheatre.org.