THEATER REVIEW : Prime Interest in ‘Miss Jean Brodie’ : The key role of the flamboyant, influential teacher is imbued with convincing charisma in La Habra Depot Theatre’s production.

LA HABRA —  Jean Brodie is a good teacher. Few are as dedicated. She inspires confidence in her students, imbues them with the courage to learn and gives them a lifelong sense of self-worth. But she also confuses her mission as a teacher with her personal life, and with the personal lives of her charges.

Still, she leaves an unforgettable impression on those charges, and in the La Habra Depot Theatre’s production of Jay Presson Allen’s “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” it’s easy to see why.

As Brodie, Laura Miller is a solid, vibrant and empathetic. Her theatrical stylishness is just right, and she doesn’t overdo it one bit. Recalling her first lover’s death in World War I, introducing her students to opera through the slightly naughty “La Traviata,” or picnicking with them on the school lawn with the music teacher (her current lover), Brodie is a delight, and Miller gives her free rein.

The production’s only flaw is an overall slowness of tempo. Director Phyllis Gitlin’s sense of inner rhythms in individual scenes is on target, but she could move the whole thing along at a slightly more energetic pace.

The staging looks very good on Larry Watts’ functional sets. And Gitlin has assembled a capable supporting cast. Crystal Sloat gives an especially impressive, rich and detailed performance as Sandy, the very bright student who benefits most from Brodie’s efforts--and ends up bringing about her destruction. Sloat can express a changing emotion with a glance.

Sarah van der Pol is touching as little lost Mary MacGregor, and Renee Oran’s tweedy, starchy headmistress has the perfect hard edge to balance Brodie’s flamboyance. As the libidinous art teacher Teddy Lloyd, Matthew Goodrich acts with an openness that makes logical his and Brodie’s mutual attraction.

The students are properly giggly and screechy, providing the right atmosphere and doing generally good work with the difficult accents, which sit correctly somewhere on the highway between Edinburgh and London.

* “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” La Habra Depot Theatre, 311 S. Euclid St., La Habra. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m., Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Ends Aug. 14. $8-$10. (310) 905-9708 or (310) 691-8900. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes. Laura Miller: Jean Brodie

Crystal Sloat: Sandy

Sarah van der Pol: Mary MacGregor

Renee Oran: Miss McKay

Gregor Paul Jackson: Gordon Lowther

Matthew Goodrich: Teddy Lloyd

Shalyce Wenk: Monica

A La Habra Depot Theatre production. Adapted for the stage by Jay Presson Allen from Murial Spark’s novel. Directed by Phyllis Gitlin. Sets and costumes: Larry Watts. Lighting: Brad Stewart. Properties: Chris Montgomery.