Playwright George Brant, who brought us “Grounded” in 2014 at Gamm, gets a bit darker with his latest play, “Grizzly Mama,” now getting a powerful production at Pawtucket’s Gamm Theatre.

Director Rachel Walshe has her three female actors reaching deep inside themselves to bring out the dark humor that lies beneath the surface in a cabin in the Alaskan wilderness.

Deb Marshall (Casey Seymour Kim) has moved there to perform a dastardly deed against her right-wing neighbor, Patti Turnbuck, (aka Sarah Palin?), who is running for President of the United States. The divorced Deb also has some Mommy issues and has brought her iPhone addict daughter Hannah (Amanda Ruggiero) with her after the death of her activist mother.

Mom had criticized Deb for her middle class way of life, and Deb is out to prove her wrong by killing her conservative neighbor and flexing her feminist muscles. Into their lives comes the presidential candidate’s teenage daughter, Laurel (Betsy Rinaldi), who quickly bonds with Hannah.

Deb plans many grizzly ways to rid the world of her neighbor, killing her dog by mistake, and running into problems at every turn.

What starts out as a funny, out-of-control first act turns darker and darker as the day of destiny approaches. The two hour, one-intermission play has a big, shocking twist at the end, leaving the audience in darkness to ponder the many issues raised.

While the play certainly has feminist overtones, it is also a dark look at gun control, the politics of politics, mother-daughter relationships, abortion and the obsession with teenage texting.

The three actresses work well off each other, and on press night their timing was perfect. We’ve watched Casey Seymour Kim for many years at Gamm and are always impressed with her ability to play a variety of characters, including this troubled 42-year-old mother.

It’s a new year, and we’ve said goodbye to “A Christmas Carol,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Annie” and “White Christmas.” It is now time to get down to some serious stuff at the theatre. Gamm is ready. Their next play is Martin McDonagh’s “A Skull in Connemara,” which Artistic Director Tony Estrella describes as “a blasphemously funny whodunit complete with flying skulls and bloody hatchets.”

“Grizzly Mamma” continues through February 7 at Gamm. Call 723-4266 for reservations.