STAGE REVIEW : CITY HITS THE SKIDS IN WILTSE’S ‘SUGGS’ AT THE ACTORS ALLEY

In the long literary battle between the city and the country seldom has the city suffered such a decisive loss as in David Wiltse’s “Suggs,” at Actors Alley.

At times “Suggs” appears to be nothing more than an acerbic I-hate-New-York tract. In a series of quick comic sketches, the title character arrives from Kansas as a bright young man and emerges several years later as a bum.

“Suggs” was originally produced in New York in 1972, and Wiltse clearly thought the Big Apple had turned rotten. Yet he deliberately didn’t mention the name of the “large metropolitan city” where his play is set. He forces us to acknowledge that he’s talking about more than New York.

His target is urban depersonalization, wherever it occurs. And his attack is not depersonalized--that is, he doesn’t excuse individuals, such as his own antihero, from their share of the responsibility. Suggs chooses to live in New York, drawn by the excitement and by the promise of acquiring the “classy arrogance” that he perceives as the province of urbanites. He and the city must share the blame for his fate.

It’s a dark play, riotously funny on occasion but sadly disturbing in the end. Michael Holden’s staging is in tune with every moment of it.

Steve Nevil is the ideal Suggs. He’s reminiscent of a young Johnny Carson--the rural Boy Scout who’s now ready to win the merit badges of the big city. He may be a greenhorn, but he’s no hick, and his comic timing is superb.

E. Hampton Beagle is hilarious as Suggs’ frustrated, fast-talking boss, and Frances Welter is a delight as his girlfriend and partner in disillusionment. A couple of minor women’s roles are the most dated aspects of the play, but they’re sharply performed, and the entire cast moves easily through the spaces outlined by J. Kent Inasy’s lights on Renee Hoss’ simple set.

The savvy instincts behind this production are confirmed by the fact that the program’s warning of a second act strobe light proved groundless--no strobe appeared. “Suggs” is provocative enough without artificial stimulants.

Performances are at 4334 Van Nuys Blvd., Fridays through Sundays at 8 p.m., through April 5 (818-986-7440).