The Colonnade’s September theater performance will be “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a play based on the American literary classic written by Harper Lee.

The novel won a Pulitzer Prize for its boldness in dealing with the serious issues of rape, prejudice and racial inequality.

Set in the small town of Maycomb, Ala., during the height of the Great Depression, the story is a loosely autobiographical novel of the coming-of-age of its tomboy heroine, Scout Finch. When Scout’s widowed father, a local lawyer, decides to defend a young black man accused of beating and raping a white woman, the backlash from the community deeply affects everyone, including Scout and her brother Jem.

J.C. Smith, one of the co-directors of the play, said he “did not clean it up” and would rate it as “PG-13, if not R.”

“This will be one of The Colonnade’s first stabs at a true drama,” said Smith, “instead of the typical ‘southern comedy’. Although it’s considerably condensed, it truly mimics the book and has the same plot and story.”

Chris Phillips is also a co-director and head technical engineer. “Mockingbird” is a Closed Door Entertainment production with special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Co. of Woodstock, Ill.

Performances will be Sept. 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. There will also be a matinee day for school groups on Sept. 16 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Ticket prices are $11 for adults, $9 for seniors (55 and above), $9 for students, and $8 for groups of 15 or more.

The play will also be interpreted for the deaf.

For more information, call Lora Ogden at 706-935-9000, ext. 108.