Dance aficionados know La Jolla native John Malashock’s 23-year-old Malashock Dance as one of San Diego’s best modern dance troupes. Malashock Dance, based at Liberty Station in Point Loma, is currently in residence at La Jolla Playhouse, presenting the second edition of even more provocative world premiere works in the second edition of “Malashock/Raw,” aptly titled “Malashock/Raw2.” Choreographer Malashock, who graduated from La Jolla High School, danced with New York’s renowned Twyla Tharp Dance and after touring for nearly a decade, returned to the San Diego area, determined to go into business in order to provide a more “normal” life for his wife Nina and son Duncan. “But you know how dance is,” Malashock said. “It called me back. There was not much choice.” Malashock’s Emmy Award-winning works, whether filmed for television or performed in a theater, usually tell a story. They are playful, intimate and human. With the advent of “Raw” last year, other adjectives apply. Fourteen years ago, Malashock invited an incendiary Los Angeles-based dancer named Michael Mizerany to join his troupe. Mizerany did so, commuting by Amtrak until he moved to San Diego six years ago. As dancer and choreographer, Mizerany, who is remembered for his poignant portrayal of a loser in Malashock’s Emmy Award-winning dance film, “The Soul of Saturday Night,” brings an edgy, more overtly sexual energy to the troupe. Opening tonight (Oct. 20) and continuing through Saturday in the Mandell Weiss Forum Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse, “Malashock/Raw2” features new works by Malashock, Mizerany and guest choreographers Henry Torres and Angel Arambula from Tijuana’s LUX BOREAL. Mizerany is the producer. When asked what a producer does, Mizerany said, “He does everything. Nothing is too big; nothing is too incidental. I choreograph, I run rehearsals for LUX when LUX isn’t here. I run rehearsals for John’s piece. I process ticket orders. I sweep the floor. It’s always crunch time — not in a bad way; I really enjoy it.” Asked if he was responsible for putting the raw in “Raw,” Mizerany said no — it was a collaborative effort. The company wanted to attract a younger age demographic (25 to 40) and decided that something more cutting edge and provocative might do that. It did. Following sold out performances at downtown’s Sushi, the wildly successful repertoire titled “Malashock/Raw” was remounted at Malashock’s dance studio at Liberty Station. This season’s repertoire includes Malashock’s new dance, titled “Piece of Work!” — referring to the infinite variety of humans struggling to survive despite opposing psychological forces. In characteristic fashion, Malashock’s characters are presented in a series of humorous yet disturbing solos, duets and trios. Mizerany said LUX’s “Harem” concerns five women “connected” with one guy, who goes to each to get what he wants. “The guy wants something from each and so he goes to get it,” he said, “and in the end the women rebel and put him in his place.” As for his work titled “Desperate Love,” Mizerany said it concerns the things we compromise for the idea of love or being in love. “The characters are really flawed — interesting but dysfunctional,” he said. “They compromise their emotions, their bodies and their physical safety for what they think they’ll get out of love.” Mizerany said “Malashock/Raw2” is more provocative and cutting edge than it was last year. Provocative? Certainly. Offensive? Perhaps. But it’s all in the eye of the beholder. • Malashock/Raw 2: Runs Oct. 20-22 All shows take place at 8 p.m. Tickets: $20 in advance or $25 on the day of show. For tickets or more information, call (619) 260-1622, or visit www.malashockdance.org.