‘Transitory Tales’ a Sketchy Effort

“Transitory Tales,” a collection of mostly two-character sketches written and performed by comedian Jack Younger, is aptly entitled.

These are indeed transitory tales. They are so gentle and anemically delivered that the experience, in the antiseptic, skinny room with the long aisle and metal seats known as Actors Workout, is weirdly ephemeral.

Younger looks as if he has been at his trade a long time, and his patrons are not in their salad days either. The spread of cakes and cookies at intermission is elaborate, and everyone has a subdued time in the quiet afternoon (this show is wise enough not to attempt to draw a nighttime audience).

The material is about baseball, graveside manners, seniors, unemployment. Younger is aided by a quintet of ladies, the funniest of whom is Pattie Tierce. All in all, the show reminds you of your grandfather or uncle telling funny stories to dinner guests. It belongs in a living room, not a theater.

“Transitory Tales,” Actors Workout, 4739 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, Sundays only, 2:30 p.m. Indefinitely. $10; (213) 215-3878. Running Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes.