You can tell that summer's almost over, because the local theater troupes are preparing to take the stage again. Deep Dish Theater Company will open its 2009-2010 season Friday with Tennessee Williams' "Summer and Smoke," directed by Deep Dish Resident Director Tony Lea. The play will run through Sept. 19 at the company's home in University Mall. Set in 1916 Mississippi, "Summer and Smoke" is one of Williams' most beautiful and haunting works. Deep Dish's production will feature Katja Hill as Alma Winemiller, a soulful young woman in love with the gifted and hard-living John Buchanan, Jr. (Eric Swenson). "All of these characters are so rich in complexity that they are a joy for the actors to explore," Lea said. Several performances will feature special events: the cast and audience will discuss the play and Southern literature following the Sept. 6 performance, and another post-show talk on Sept. 10 will feature the design team. On Sept. 4, dramaturg John Harris will discuss the play and playwright in the lobby before the performance, and a discussion of Carson McCullers's novel, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter," will be held Sept. 17 at at 6:30 p.m. in Tyndall Galleries. Information, tickets and showtimes are available at 968-1515 or www.deepdishtheater.org.