STAGE REVIEW : A Standard Look for Old Favorite : * Buena Park Civic Theatre’s ‘Hello, Dolly!’ is an enthusiastic--even frantic--production, but it’s not especially inventive.

Director Tim Nelson takes the words right out of a critic’s mouth when he asks “Why do another ‘Hello, Dolly!’?” in the program notes for the Buena Park Civic Theatre’s revival.

Nelson answers himself by suggesting that the Jerry Herman (music and lyrics) and Michael Stewart (book) show has “enormous appeal (that is) virtually timeless.” Well, to each his own, but there’s little doubt that “Hello, Dolly!” has been a crowd favorite for years, especially among the community theater set.

To prove his point, Nelson and his cast dive in with an enthusiasm bordering on the frantic to the story of unsinkable matchmaker Dolly Levi and the folks who surround her. Nothing ever flags in this production, but neither is anything especially inventive--it’s a faithful and, although colorful, generally standard treatment of this chestnut.

The brightest (literally) aspect here is the costumes by a group called the Theatre Company of Upland. This amusing assortment of jujube-colored duds--especially those paraded through the “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” number-- is almost electric.

Mary Murphy-Nelson, the cast’s lone union professional, is clearly the standout. Her Dolly isn’t as brassy as some, but there’s a witty confidence in the portrayal and the singing that makes her approach especially likable.

The rest of the performances are mixed. Jon Gale’s Cornelius Hackl could be less boyish and naive, and John L. Moreno’s Horace Vandergelder is overly unpleasant, even for this obnoxious character. Kayre Morrison’s Irene Molloy is an effective combination of spunk and femininity.

Some of the production’s spottiest patches turn up in the bigger ensemble numbers. Jennifer Simpson’s choreography is fairly complicated for the small stage, but not enough to explain the moments of awkwardness that popped up during Sunday’s matinee.

‘Hello, Dolly!’

A Buena Park Civic Theatre production of the Michael Stewart/Jerry Herman musical. Directed by Tim Nelson. Mary Murphy-Nelson, Jim Hannah, John L. Moreno, Leslie Holland, Jon Gale, Vincent Aniceto, Kayre Morrison, Ai Goeku, Saidell L. Preston, Edwin D. Schuyler, Jim Tuten, Mike Hays, Todd Davis and Benjamin Aniceto. Choreography by Jennifer Simpson. Lighting by Jane Phillips Hobson. Musical direction by Tim Nelson. Plays Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. through Feb. 22 at the Buena Park High School Performing Arts Complex, Academy Drive at Magnolia Avenue, Buena Park. Tickets: $5 to $8. (714) 562-3888.