Theater review: 'The Show Geese' -- 2.5 stars

It's become an all-too- familiar scenario on stage and in film: The comfortably affluent housewife, oblivious to the fact that her family's money has been drained away due to poor oversight and a total lack of restraint, awakens one day to the sobering reality that the party is over and she must make do with less.

Sharr White's slow, combative and cumbersome family drama "The Snow Geese," which is built around this premise, may not be a great play, or very original, but it does have its moments and some merits.

"The Snow Geese" marks White's second play produced on Broadway this year, following "The Other Place."

Set in upstate New York around the time of World War I, the play stars Mary-Louise Parker as widow Elizabeth Gaesling, whose family has come together just before her older, spoiled son (Evan Jonigkeit) goes off to war. Her younger, more practical son (Brian Cross) spoils the festivities by breaking the news of the family's financial setback.

It takes some time -- too much really -- for the conflict to develop. But in time, "The Snow Geese," as directed by Daniel Sullivan with his characteristic polish, turns into the atmospheric character study that White intended.

Jonigkeit's emotional transformation in disposition is the unexpected centerpiece of this production. While Parker brings a credible fragility and vulnerability, she comes off as too contemporary for a period piece. As family members, Danny Burstein and Victoria Clark offer fine performances that are remarkably sober compared to their acclaimed turns in numerous musicals.

If you go: "The Snow Geese" plays at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre through Dec. 15. 261 W. 47th St., manhattantheatreclub.com.