L.A. Review: 'Jennifer Aniston Stole My Life'

Semi-autobiographical or autobiographical plays about people who, like their playwrights, are part of the world of show biz are far too common, usually coming off as a mash-up of characters and concepts already tackled by others. Jon Courie's contemporary black comedy carries echoes of several Neil Simon works, notably "The Gingerbread Lady," and of countless TV sitcoms. The sitcom flavor is fitting, for three of the four characters are connected with television. Ruth Ann Murphy (Barbara Keegan) calls herself "Rue" to represent her jaded sorrow toward a lifetime as a celebrity name–dropping entertainment industry outsider. Her manic-depressive daughter "Lo" (Jesse Holcomb) had a hit TV sitcom but cracked under the pressure, while their new boarder, bubbly, kooky standup comic Shari (Diana Wright), is about to get a TV series based on her own life.

These three, along with Morty (Barry Gordon), their landlord and part-time manager, are an ersatz family. The quartet of performers is solid and thoughtfully directed by Deborah Geffner—but the play is as depressing and aimless as Lo, its lifelike darkness an uneasy fit with its modest laughs. It's also thoroughly predictable, including a climax that should be shocking and horrifying but isn't.

Presented by Image & Likeness, in association with Purple Turtle Productions, as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival at the Hudson Theatres, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. June 14–23. Remaining Fringe performances: Sat., June 16, 3 p.m.; Sun., June 17, 7 p.m.; Thu., June 21, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 23, 3 p.m. (Additional performance Mon., June 18, 8 p.m., at Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood.) www.hollywoodfringe.org.