LA Review: 'Sister Cities'

Collette Freeman's "Sister Cities," the story of four sisters reuniting after their mother's untimely death, premiered in L.A. in 2006. But this smart, vodka-infused dark comedy is worth another look in the hands of a new group of women in this year's Hollywood Fringe Festival.

The four very different daughters of a freewheeling dancer, Mary, all have different fathers and are all named for their different birthplaces. Kira Pozehl is spot-on as the picture-perfect Dallas, and Katherine Bowman's Austin gets in her share of dry barbs. A scattered Heldine Aguiluz plays the baby, Baltimore, and a too-wired Emily Derenzis is the way-uptight Carolina. Directed by Savannah Bloch for the Stage Theatre, the preview of this no-tech production struggled some to keep its momentum, particularly in Cynthia Rothschild's Mary (a tricky role). But there's good work here that should find its groove. "Sister Cities" is a funny, familiar, and rewarding glimpse into the extraordinary world of women.

Presented by the Stage Theatre as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival at Underground Theater, 1312–1314 N. Wilton Place, Hollywood. June 7–24. Remaining performances: Sat., June 23, 2:30 and 8:30 p.m.; Sun., June 24, 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (323) 455-4585 or www.hollywoodfringe.org.