Multigenerational worlds collide in moving, funny and powerful ‘Bald Sisters’ at Steppenwolf Theatre

Francesca Fernandez McKenzie (left) and Jennifer Lim star as sisters dealing with longstanding sibling tensions in Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s world premiere production of “Bald Sisters.” (Michael Brosilow)

There’s a line late in Vichet Chum’s graceful, touching, and humorous play “Bald Sisters“ — about two Cambodian-American sisters mourning their mother — that explains in cultural terms the work’s wry sensibility.

“Ma used to say because the Khmer Rouge invaded on the new year… we’ve learned to mourn and celebrate in the same breath.”