Theater : Theater Review : Revue Coasts Along : A revival of ‘Pump Boys and Dinettes’ passes the time but fails to find that spark of ignition.

It’s a little jarring to see “Pump Boys and Dinettes,” which is set in rural North Carolina, and then absorb the reports of the massive flooding in that state.

Judging only from the country-fried musical that opens the McCoy Rigby season at La Mirada Theatre, life in those parts is almost totally carefree--and drama-free as well.

Of course, the 18-year-old “Pump Boys” is much closer to a revue than it is to a book musical, and revues don’t necessarily pump up the dramatic conflict. Yet in the better revues, there’s a lot more going on within the songs--if not between them--than there is here. “Pump Boys” is nothing more than a cheerful time-passer.

Unlike the cast in many revues, the actors here do play consistent characters. Four men embody the Pump Boys, who hang out at the gas station on stage right. They devote more time to their music, their fishing and their next vacation in Florida than they do to any fixing of cars, yet they don’t appear to fret about how to pay the bills.

On the other side of the stage, two women play the Dinettes, waitresses at the diner across the road. They sing about their jobs more than the men do, so maybe they work a little harder. They even aggressively solicit tips from the audience at one point (albeit with tongue in cheek). Still, don’t count on them to serve dinner.

This cast, with one exception, sells the material pretty well.

Director Jason Edwards also plays Jim, the easygoing rhythm guitar player who more or less emcees and also sings a song about his grandma--which would be more moving if it didn’t seem to be dropped in out of the blue for cheap sentiment. As pianist-accordionist L.M., who overlooks the local women in favor of his memories of a brief encounter with Dolly Parton, David Hemsley Caldwell has a sprightly voice that effectively belies his deadpan manner.

Talk about deadpan--that’s big bassist Lonnie Rowell’s specialty, too. Dan Wright is a bit bland as lead guitarist Jackson.

Linda Edwards and Emily Mikesell as the Dinettes are properly sassy, grousing about the guys while providing percussion accompaniment with diner utensils. They make nice music together. But like that earlier song about Jim’s grandma, their big duet strains to stir a sadder note than the rest of the show, without much luck--why are we suddenly supposed to believe that they don’t really know each other despite their years of living and working together? There’s no hint of this in the rest of the show.

Jim Wann, the chief writer of “Pump Boys,” has written a score for a new show set to premiere at Pasadena Playhouse next year: “The People vs. Mona.” Let’s hope its tank isn’t equally empty.

BE THERE

“Pump Boys and Dinettes,” La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 2:30 p.m.; Sundays, 7:30 p.m. Ends Oct. 3. $34. (562) 944-9801; (714) 994-6310. Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes.