THEATER REVIEW “L’IL ABNER” : Yokum Revival : Musical based on the comic strip holds up well more than three decades after the original production.

Al Capp’s satirical comic strip “Li’l Abner” hasn’t been seen for years; he stopped drawing it in 1977, two years before his death. Absence from the public consciousness might seem to take the edge off a revival. The 1956 Broadway musical based on the strip was at the time a national institution already 20 years old.

Rather lightweight even in its original incarnation, the show holds up surprisingly well in a production by the Cabrillo Music Theater, concluding this weekend.

While the show’s names may not be familiar to a generation or more, their characters and situations are. Abner and Daisy Mae, for instance, were obvious prototypes for Jethro Bodine and Elly May Clampett in “The Beverly Hillbillies.” Schools still hold Sadie Hawkins’ Day dances, where women invite men. There will always be avaricious corporate heads like the strip’s General Bullmoose. And there will always be fogbound senators, if not a Senator Jack S. Phogbound.

A major plot point involves Senator Phogbound’s solution to the notion that Nevada’s nuclear tests are ruining the tourist industry in Las Vegas. Substitute something like toxic waste for nuclear testing, and the show’s right up to date.

Its book was written by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank, probably best known at the time for the Bob Hope-Bing Crosby “Road” picture scripts. The songs are the result of a collaboration between Johnny Mercer and Gene de Paul, whose last Broadway effort had been “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”

Mercer and De Paul are at their best with comedy or up-tempo songs including “If I Had My Druthers” and “The Country’s in the Very Best of Hands.” The love ballads are less successful. Possibly the strongest moment in this production is the “Sadie Hawkins Day Ballet,” choreographed by Kevin Calvin, which concludes the first act.

Director Linda M. Stiegler works wonders with a cast and crew of well over 60 people, including nearly 20 local high school students who are receiving academic credit for their experience onstage or behind the scenes.

Charlie Jourdan is a definitive Li’l Abner--tall, dense and handsome--and Thyra Gustafson is an appealing Daisy Mae. As in the strip, the show’s most interesting characters are the supporting cast, with Crystal St. Romain as a feisty Mammy Yokum; Raymond Mastrovito as preacher Marryin’ Sam; Nicolas Sanders as the wrestler and competitor for Daisy Mae’s affection, Earthquake McGoon; John Toledo as salesman Available Jones, and Roger Linkletter as Senator Phogbound.

Marvin Ramos all but walks away with the show in his brief spot as Evil Eye Fleagle.

Some people might take issue with Capp’s portrayal of women--including Moonbeam McSwine, Appassionata Von Climax and Stupefyin’ Jones, played by Francene Freedenberg, Stephanie Main and Valerie Baltzer respectively. And then there are the Native Americans, Lonesome Polecat and Hairless Joe, broadly played by Eric Weithofer and David Banuelos.

Such people should keep in mind that Capp was kidding.

Ken Probe’s sets are functional and imaginative, and the rented costumes are excellent--though nit-pickers might wonder why the Yokumberry juice not only strengthens a young soldier, it increases his rank from noncom to officer.

* WHERE AND WHEN

“Li’l Abner” plays Friday and Saturday nights at 8 at the Oxnard Civic Auditorium, 800 Hobson Way, in Oxnard. Tickets are $17.50, $15 and $12, with discounts available for seniors, students, active members of the military and groups. Call (805) 483-8859 for reservations or further information.