*** Recommended *** Loss of a parent – and all the sibling angst and in-fighting that might cause – is fraught with drama in and of itself. In Bald Sisters, Steppenwolf’s new dramedy, playwright Vichet Chum, explores that dynamic while focusing attention on the family’s background as immigrants from Cambodia. 3 Spotlights
Steppenwolf’s new space really is stunning. There are only six rows of seats, so every audience member is close to the action. For this show, however, take note of your seat location. Apparently audience desire/need to see all the action wasn’t particularly important to either the director or the scenic designer. If you’re sitting on the west side of the space, you won’t be able to see that happens in an alcove between the seats. If you’re on the north side, you won’t see much of Ma’s deathbed scene set in the exit.
Ma (Wai Ching Ho), a Cambodian immigrant, is in the hospital, but she has things to say to her daughter, Him (Jennifer Lim). Ma has strong opinions and she’s not afraid to share them. She criticizes her daughter saying something to the effect of “I shouldn’t say this, but, I’m going to say it anyway” (a favorite phrase, she uses it often). When she asked Ma if she’d called her younger daughter to tell her she was ill, Him is aghast to hear that Ma left a message on her voice mail.
After Ma died, Him, who is in the middle of chemotherapy (hence the title), returns home. Her husband, Nate (Coburn Goss), a pastor, apparently had an affair which Him has apparently forgiven, but the relationship is strained. As she’s trying to pick up the pieces of her life, her sister Sophea (Francesca Fernandez McKenzie) breezes in.
Although Sophea acts like a free spirit, she’s angry and hurt that her mother actually left a voice mail saying she was dying. Tempers clash as the sisters try to figure out Ma’s affairs. The lawn guy, Seth (Nima Rakhshaifar), a Syrian refugee, pops up everywhere. Although he works for Him, he was apparently Ma’s willing accomplice as she tried to complete the items on her bucket list before she died. Intrigued, Sophea pursued Seth, rather successfully, as an enthusiastic interval on Him’s sofa demonstrated.
Him and Sophea have a lot of issues, which leads to arguing and confrontation. They even fight over who’s more Cambodian, Him, who was born there, or Sophea, who was born in America. In the end, they bond over their exasperation with Ma and her antics with Seth.
When the play ends, don’t be in too big of a rush, there’s an ‘unscheduled’ finale you won’t want to miss.
Note: Guests are encouraged but not required to wear masks while inside the building.
Bald Sisters runs through January 21st in the new Ensemble Theater in Honor of Helen Zell, Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted Street, Chicago. Self-parking is available in the Steppenwolf Garage, accessible parking in the lot north of Front Bar. Valet parking is also available. $15. Running time is 110 minutes, no intermission.