‘Heir Transparent’ by Theatricum Botanicum; Two One-Acts at the Cast; ‘The Club’ by West Coast Ensemble; ‘Or’ at Richmond Shepard Theatre : ‘Or’

Felton Perry’s drama “Or” opens with dynamic ensemble energy.

An afflicted group of Vietnam veterans are engaged in a raucous card game in the day room of a VA hospital. The energy never slackens at the Richmond Shepard Theatre--but the plot unhappily does, flattening into vignettes more documentarylike than playlike.

The intention is to dramatize the devastating effect of VA bureaucracy on the physically and mentally maimed, while illuminating the particularity of the Vietnam experience. But the production, directed with swatches of humor by Robert Alford II, plays like pages in a post-trauma notebook.

The structure is flabby, curiously motionless for all the sensitive performances and burning fever. Extensive cuts would reduce repetition and sharpen momentum.

Perry (the actor on “Hooperman”) premiered this play 15 years ago at the Fountain Stage. He’s made extensive revisions but focus is not among them.

There are diamonds in this rough, however. Several characters are vivid and the portrayals rich: among them, Ron Trice’s self-destruction, Richard Coca’s blind coping, Steve Akahoshi’s manic jungle fear, Jeris Poindexter’s ramrod righteousness, Bee-be Smith’s skittish, smitten nurse and Donnice Wilson’s aplomb as another nurse whose flesh is weak. In the production’s most imaginatively staged scene, Wilson and Poindexter comically glide from Holy Roller fervor to frantic groping.

Plays at 6476 Santa Monica Blvd. Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. ; Sunday s , 7 p.m., indefinitely. (213) 462-9399.