Grave Concern

“The Cemetery Club” was a fairly safe choice for Theatre East to include in its inaugural subscription season. Ivan Menchell’s play has been popular with audiences--though rarely with critics--since its Broadway debut in 1990.

The club consists of three widows who make monthly trips to the cemetery to visit the graves of their husbands. As the play opens, this ritual is crumbling. Lucille (Bryna Weiss) is already tired of visiting her philandering husband, and swing-vote Ida (June Sanders) is leaning toward curtailing the visits, too. Only Doris (Carolyn Field) remains steadfast.

Menchell’s characters are as flat as the headstones they visit, and the Theatre East cast, under the direction of Jan O’Connor, is unable to give them more definition. Of the three, only Field really breathes life into her character--surprising, since her character is completely emotionally static. Field has a composure and naturalism that the rest of the cast lacks.

In the first act, Weiss’ performance wasn’t as flamboyant as her costumes. But the more she fit into her outrageous attire, the less she fit into the play. That’s made even more true by the dramatic curve Menchell throws her character at the end.

Sanders, by contrast, was so understated that she occasionally faded into the set. As her beau, Sam, Christopher Weeks was equally milquetoast--so although they may have been compatible, it was tough for the audience to perceive any sparks flying.

“The Cemetery Club” is a shameless--though effective--tear-jerker at the end. But a lump in the throat is no substitute for real, hard-earned emotion.

BE THERE

“The Cemetery Club,” Theatre East, 12655 Ventura Blvd., Studio City (above Jerry’s Famous Deli). Thurdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Ends March 29. $16. (818) 760-4160.