In the year 2055 man is barely alive.

It's a dystopian future where alien insect invaders rule the earth and humanity is banished from the top of the food chain and rendered a source of sustenance for the new overlords. But despite a new world order, office politics still reign supreme.

Such is the premise of the world premiere of Mankind's Last Hope, a new comedic stage play opening Friday at Rhythmix Cultural Works.

Written by Alameda's own Dan Brodnitz of cecilvortex.com and Jeff Green, the story revolves around three hapless caricatures enslaved by the alien "hoards" in a greeting card factory and graphic design firm. Not only is the job lousy, but one misstep and our heroes become dinner.

Performances were near perfect at a dress rehearsal Saturday, and under the polished direction of Robert Lundy-Paine, the play promises to reach new heights during its two-week run.

These humans of the future must walk a careful tightrope to survive certain death, often walking a fine line attempting to accede to their taskmasters' contradictory orders. Sound like any job you've had? Among the humans there's eye-patch wearing Spencer (James Colgan), picking his fingernails with his Hobo knife; loveable idiot simpleton Hank (Kenneth Sears); and yes-man suck-up Wally (Alex Goldenberg).

The comedic script includes a mélange of allusions to pop culture, from the title song in homage to David Bowie's "Under Pressure" to references to Planet of the Apes, John Waters, The Simpsons and Office Space.

Things are not much better for the rulers. The vengeful Jiggy (Angela Dant) in bodacious yet menacing insect garb beats fear into the hearts of her charges, yet endures all the perils of middle management when her sabbatical is on the line in a performance review. Morale at Earth Industries has fallen to a new low and Jiggy fears she will be exposed for failing to deliver on the company's motto, "a happy human is delicious." Her chattel balks when she appoints recently captured willowy waif, Alex (Chloe Bronzan) as the new boss after an unscheduled vacancy. Jiggy flies into an unintentionally comedic rage, bellowing: "You are not the boss! The feral monkey, she is the boss! You show her some respect!"

Can any of these sniveling humans, with their dignity stripped really be mankind's last hope? Will Jiggy be the buggy belle of overlord Zanthor's ball? For a small price, you can find out for yourself.

Mankind's Last Hope opens Friday at Rhythmix Cultural Works at 2513 Blanding Ave. and runs Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. through Nov. 3. The performance Sunday Nov. 4 is at 2 p.m. Tickets are $17 general, $12 students and seniors. For more information visit viragotheatre.org/production.html

Marc Albert can be reached at