‘Springtime’ Is Glib but Mostly Rocky

There is very little spring in the Actors Circle Theatre’s production of “Springtime for Henry.” The bounce and sass of Benn W. Levy’s comedy is burdened by a cast that tries uncomfortably hard to be British. The glib, offhand ennui of the 1930s upper class is buried under so much grimacing and posturing.

Henry (Steve Keeley) inherited Dewlip Motors but manages it in name only, preferring late nights of gambling and affairs with the bored wives of his associates--including the snippy Julia (Susan Gordon), wife of his best friend John (Carl Schuster). Henry’s new secretary, the coy Miss Smith (Sally Ann Smith) attempts to straighten Henry out, upsetting the equilibrium of the Henry-Julia-John love triangle.

Like the odd mustard yellow that wreaks havoc with the otherwise well-appointed set design by Roy Keeley, Kelly Stevens’ direction is just slightly off kilter. Tightening up the pacing and relaxing the actors into a more natural rhythm would help this production greatly.

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* “Springtime for Henry,” Actors Circle Theatre, 7313 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends Feb. 15. $13. Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes.