STAGE REVIEW : Too Few Laughs From ‘Carbonell’

When Raul De Cardenas’ wan comedy, “The Carbonell Sisters From Havana” finally comes to life in the second act, it thrusts us into a kind of loopy “I Love Lucy”-type nonsense. Sadly, the play--like a hard-driving party-goer--soon sobers up and stops being fun.

At the Chapel Court Theatre, it’s easy to see why director Victoria Racimo’s cast takes a while to get going. The first half is interminable chat among the siblings--prim Maria Eugenia (Emma Mio); moaning Maria Elvira (Elena Martinez); Maria Rosa (Marabina Jaimes), trying magic to mend her marriage, and swinging Maria Elena (Liana Odalys).

This is the stuff of a half-hour episode of what could be the adventures of sisters in 1949 Havana (imagine next week’s show, when Elena gets involved in political intrigue) but, at two hours, this is a flabby un-comedy in need of some serious machete work.

“The Carbonell Sisters From Havana,” Chapel Court Theatre, 6817 Franklin Ave., Hollywood, Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. (alternate weekends in Spanish/English) Ends May 10. $15; (213) 962-5566. Running time: 2 hours.