STAGE REVIEW : URBAN ALIENATION IS THEME OF ‘SUGGS’ AT CAST

David Wiltse’s “Suggs” should strike sparks at the Cast Theatre, perhaps even more so than at Actors Alley, which housed a similar production last spring.

Though it’s dangerous to generalize about neighborhoods and audiences, the Cast environs are indisputably urban, and I would guess that the Cast audiences include a lot of young would-be world-beaters who are determined to make it in the big city. These people may find “Suggs” uncomfortable, but they should pay close attention.

Wiltse’s antihero goes to the city in search of excitement, urbanity, wealth and fame; he finds boredom, bigotry, poverty, anonymity. The city isn’t totally to blame; the title character’s values are roasted as well. The play might have been unrelievedly bitter, but it is leavened with moments of deep hilarity. However, the joke is on all of us who believe in the city.

“Suggs” is the perfect companion for “Back Home,” the musical that’s playing next door. “Back Home” deals with the same subject but arrives at a more hopeful conclusion--perhaps because it focuses on Los Angeles instead of Wiltse’s unidentified metropolis (which is clearly meant to suggest New York circa 1972, when “Suggs” was presented at Lincoln Center). Nevertheless, Angelenos should not delude themselves into thinking they’re safe, as Suggs might have put it. Wiltse’s play will evoke grimaces of recognition here, too.

The Cast stage is wider but shallower than the Actors Alley stage. “Suggs” feels slightly more cramped in its new quarters--all in all, not an inappropriate feeling, though the blocking of two supermarket scenes suffers slightly. The noise of a fan on the sidelines doesn’t help, either.

Michael Holden’s cast remains much the same, led by the superb Steve Nevil as Suggs. The most important replacement is Terri Hanauer as his wife. She is as adept at turning sweet into sour as was Frances Welter at Actors Alley.

Performances are at 800 N. El Centro Ave., Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. (213-462-0265).