FLAT ROCK — The Flat Rock Playhouse’s production of the musical “Pump Boys and Dinettes” received a well-deserved standing ovation at the conclusion of its Oct. 10 performance.

And while it was a rainy night outside, the show inside radiated luminous joy and fun on the mainstage of North Carolina’s official state theater. The Oct. 10 turnout appeared to fill about two-thirds of the 500-plus seats. The show ran Oct. 1-25. 

The musical tells the story of four men (L.M., Jackson, Jim and Eddie), who work at a gas station, and two waitresses (sisters Prudie and Rhetta Cupp) at the Double Cupp Diner. 

The six characters sang — and provided terrific choreography — about simple pleasures, such as love, fishing, grandmas, dancing and, even, “making love and watching TV.”

The 1982 Broadway musical takes place between Frog Level and Smyrna, N.C. The music is mostly from the country rock-pop music genres. The four men performed on guitars, piano, bass, accordion and banjo, while the two women kept the beat, turning pots, pans and kitchen utensils into percussion instruments.

The biggest hit to come out of the musical is the original cast recording of “The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine.” It reached No. 67 on the Hot Country Song charts. The score, in general, is delightful. Most of the songs and lyrics were written by Jim Wann. The songs range from county to rockabilly, blues and Southern gospel.

The smooth-running FRP show was directed by Jason Edwards, who has starred in more than 37 productions of “Pump Boys and Dinettes” around the world.

Playing the amiable Jim, who sang lead on most of the songs and functioned as master of ceremonies, was Sam Sherwood. His vocal highlight was the ballad “Mamaw,” a tribute to a beloved grandmother.

Also standing out was Matthew Riordan, who played Jackson. He absolutely sparkled on the rockabilly “Mona,” the object of Jackson’s affections in what he described as a “dime-store dream.”

Guy Strobel played the understated L.M., who the Cupp sisters found to be irresistible. His piano playing was outstanding — and he excelled in singing the show’s funniest songs. The song,  “The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine,” recalls the time L.M. met the country singing icon and only could finally mutter, “You were fine.”