“The Screwtape Letters,” the provocative and wickedly funny theatrical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view, will return to Atlanta by a limited engagement at the Alliance Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St., NE.

Performances will be June 7-10 and June 14-17, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

The play follows Screwtape, Satan’s top psychiatrist, played by award-winning actor Max McLean, and his creature-demon secretary Toadpipe, as they train an apprentice demon, Wormwood, on the fine art of seducing an unsuspecting human “patient” down the “soft, gentle path to hell.”

Along with “The Chronicles of Narnia” (including “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”), “The Great Divorce” and “Mere Christianity,” “The Screwtape Letters” is still one of Lewis’ most popular works.

Lewis dedicated it to his close friend J. R. R. Tolkien who had expressed to Lewis that delving too deeply into the craft of evil would have consequences. Lewis admitted as much when he wrote: “Though I had never written anything more easily, I never wrote with less enjoyment … though it was easy to twist one’s mind into the diabolical attitude, it was not fun, or not for long. The work into which I had to project myself while I spoke through Screwtape was all dust, grit, thirst, and itch. Every trace of beauty, freshness, and geniality had to be excluded.”

“The Screwtape Letters” is produced by New York City-based Fellowship for the Performing Arts. McLean serves as artistic director. Executive producer and general manager is Ken Denison of Aruba Productions. Scenic design is by Cameron Anderson, costumes by Michael Bevins, lighting design by Jesse Klug, and original music and sound design by John Gromada.

Tickets are available in the following price tiers: $55, $45, $35 and $29. All tickets are subject to an 8 percent sales tax and service charge.

All orders are final sales with no refunds.

A limited number of premium seats are available for $82 and student seats for $25 (student ID required). For groups of 10 or more (including student groups) call (866) 476-8707.

To purchase tickets, visit www.ScrewtapeonStage.com, call (404) 733-5000 or visit the Woodruff Center Box Office, 1280 Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta.