THEATER REVIEW ‘OLIVER!’ : Upbeat Family Fare : The Stargarden production in Ojai is ambitious. However, there are a few weak spots.

Though there’s no particular holiday theme to the script, “Oliver!” has become a sort of Christmas tradition. Look for the film version of the musical to begin appearing on television soon--or catch the show live this weekend at the Matilija Junior High School auditorium in Ojai.

Despite its origin as a rather bleak novel by Charles Dickens, this is definitely an upbeat show for the whole family. In fact, the Stargarden Family Theatre, which mounted this show, may be so named because so many families participate in the productions.

The cast of approximately 45 in “Oliver” includes director Caryn Cheney, Jack Cheney and Shennen Cheney in the prominent roles of Fagin and Nancy, along with various Melleins, Van Der Wyks, Holmeses, Dorans, etc.

Lionel Bart, who wrote the show’s book and Tony-winning music and lyrics, is a cockney whose first credits as a songwriter were numbers including “Rock with the Caveman” for England’s first rock ‘n’ roll singer, Tommy Steele. He went on to write primarily for the musical theater: “Lock Up Your Daughters,” “Fings Ain’t Wot They Used t’Be,” “Oliver!” “Blitz,” “Maggie May” and “Twang!” All were produced in England, but only “Oliver!” made it into the standard international repertory or was even imported to America with any success.

It even produced a hit tune, the torchy “As Long As He Needs Me,” sung by the put-upon Nancy about her lover, the villainous Bill Sikes.

In its day, “Oliver!” received flak from Dickens purists for diluting the author’s treatment of workhouses and other aspects of 19th-Century London street life, not to mention portraying Fagin, who turned orphans into pickpockets to his own advantage, as a rather likable rogue. The Stargarden Family Theatre production carries this one or two steps further: These are the cleanest 19th-Century London orphans you will ever see, and probably the best coiffed and dressed. Jack Cheney is also the least ethnic Fagin in memory.

The singing, unfortunately, isn’t so hot. Innocent young orphans not being able to carry a tune might elicit pathos, but most of the other parts demand stronger voices than the Stargarden troupe can muster. An exception is Anthony Melendez as Sikes. The character’s big number, “My Name,” doesn’t require much of a range, admittedly, but Melendez’s is one of the show’s stronger vocal performances.

As an actor, Jack Cheney stands out as Fagin. However softened from the original he may be, the twinkle in his eye is engaging.

As is often the case in amateur theater, there is no consistency of accents here, with the actors attempting everything from broad cockney to Kevin Costner American with varying degrees of success. There is no choreography credit, which is probably fitting--the “dances,” such as they are, are mainly attempts to keep all those children from bumping into one another.

The uncredited sets are minimal, but fine. Mark Van Der Vyk and Jeff Hodges keep the set satisfactorily lit, but the real hero might be the also uncredited pianist (musical director Jan Palmer?), who provided the show’s live instrumental accompaniment.

If there is one central problem with the show, it’s the overall restraint throughout. Actors were slow to pick up cues last Saturday night, there was little momentum (even in the pub scenes, which should have been very boisterous), and too many members of the cast stared vacantly into the audience whenever they weren’t “on.”

On the other hand, the score includes such fine songs as “Consider Yourself,” “Who Will Buy,” “Food, Glorious Food,” and “I’d Do Anything.” And there is a lot to be said for the Stargarden troupe’s ambition, straight out of a Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney movie.

* WHERE AND WHEN

“Oliver!” continues through this weekend at the Matilija Junior High School auditorium, 703 El Paseo, in Ojai. Performances are at 7:30 Friday and Saturday nights; general admission tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and children under 12. For reservations or further information, call 649-1687.