A world premiere dark comedy set in a collapsed America opens Sept. 25 at Hermosa Beach's 35-seat Second Story Theatre.

"The Luckiest Woman Alive," written and directed by Ray Hanna, follows Mallory Hope, an optimistic American refugee seeking asylum in Canada in the year 2040. When a secret experiment to resurrect a ruthless billionaire goes horribly wrong, Mallory is thrust into what the production describes as "an outrageous battle of identities."

RimoVision Group, the South Bay nonprofit theatre company staging the show, announced the production through BroadwayWorld on Aug. 7.

"Mallory loses the world she knows and somehow concludes that she's lucky," Hanna said in the announcement. "That contradiction is where the comedy begins. But underneath it is a question I think all of us recognize: when life becomes frightening or absurd, how much of what keeps us going is reality, and how much is the story we choose to believe?"

The six-person cast features Margarita Fernandez as Mallory, with Todd Martinez, Grace Li, Annie Laurie Malarkey, Martin Renteria and Savannah Haislip filling out the ensemble. Blair T composed original music for the production, with Carolina Toma on costumes and Elise Benz handling audio and lighting.

Second Story Theatre sits inside the Hermosa Beach Community Center. Only 35 seats fill the house each night. RimoVision previously used the space for monthly comedy nights, with proceeds supporting future productions like this one.

Rehearsals began Aug. 10 in Lakewood, with the company moving into the Hermosa Beach venue Sept. 14. The show runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 4, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Tickets and information are available at rimovisiongroup.org. Ticket prices had not been posted as of Aug. 11.

Upcoming community events across the South Bay:

  • Tuesday, Aug. 11: MBUSD Regular Board Meeting, 5 p.m., Manhattan Beach Unified, 325 S. Peck Ave.
  • Friday, Aug. 14: Jackie Fabulous at The Comedy & Magic Club, 8 p.m., 1018 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach
  • Sunday, Aug. 23: Wanted (Bon Jovi Tribute) Sunday Funday at The Lighthouse Cafe, 2 p.m., 30 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach
  • Sept. 25–Oct. 4: "The Luckiest Woman Alive" at Second Story Theatre, Hermosa Beach Community Center