My own fond memories of New Conservatory Theatre Center's 1998 production of Beautiful Thing have apparently been shared by many other theatergoers. According to NCTC Artistic Director Ed Decker, Jonathan Harvey's play "has consistently been the number-one requested show" for a revival. It can be happily reported that the new production should satisfy both those who had been eager to revisit the "urban fairytale," as it is subtitled, and newcomers to the enduring study of first love.

Set primarily on the walkway connecting several apartments in a South London housing project, Beautiful Thing gently develops the gay passions between a pair of teenage neighbors amidst their own family dramas that can range from comic mayhem to frightening abuse. Adding a touch of woebegone whimsy is the misfit girl next door whose obsession with Mama Cass Elliot provides an ironically bubble-gummy soundtrack.

While many productions seen in the past 11 years no longer stir any synapses in my brain, I recall many of the specifics of NCTC's original Beautiful Thing, and especially the sublime cast. There was a period of adjustment as a new group of actors brought different looks and manners to these roles. But, for the most part, the current cast brings worthy distinction to the stage.

That most noticeably is the case with Gigi Benson, whose svelte frame and wiry composure as single mom Sandra is so different from Patricia Miller's blowsy siren from 1998. But it's a sumptuous and perfectly prickly performance in its own right. Sandra is the bartending, hot-to-trot mother of Jamie, a 15-year-old loner with disturbingly little interest in school or sports. Her role model for Jamie is his schoolmate Ste, a star athlete who nonetheless can never please his abusive (and unseen) father. When she offers Ste overnight sanctuary sharing Jamie's bed, unspoken feelings find a forum within the physical proximity.

Brant Rotnem, as Ste, has the proper physical appearance and believable teenage sullenness, but while Ben Carver strikes a sympathetic connection with Jamie, the character doesn't sit as comfortably upon his awkward shoulders. Shubhra Prakash is alternately delightful and scary as the Mama Cass channeler, and she admirably handles several musical assignments. Cory Tallman lends a happy presence as Tony, Sandra's current squeeze, a genial bloke who tries just a little too hard to be cool.

Andrew Nance, who played Tony in NCTC's original production, is now the director. If energies at times slip with the pacing, Nance has a clear eye on the material and gives it a fresh life. The future for these characters is by no means sunny, but Jamie's mom offers a ray of hope to the puppy-love pair. "Someday," she says, "you'll find a place where they won't kill you."

Beautiful Thing will run through Jan. 3 at New Conservatory Theatre Center. Tickets are $22-$36. Call 861-8972 or go to www.nctcsf.org.