Al Capp's famed "Li'l Abner" comic strip comes to life when the East Islip based Broadhollow Players tackle the family musical, Li'l Abner, Aug. 6-22.

With a score by the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers team of composer Gene de Paul and lyricist Johnny Mercer, the musical is based on the Al Capp comic strip about life in hillbilly Dogpatch, USA.

Li'l Abner, which put in 695 performances at the St. James Theatre, was written by composer de Paul and lyricist Mercer on the heels of the success of their Oscar-nominated film musical, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." Their songs include "It's a Typical Day [in Dogpatch, U.S A ]," "If I Had My Druthers," the rousing "Jubilation T. Cornpone," "Namely You," "The Country's in the Very Best of Hands," "Past My Prime," "Rag Off'n the Bush," There's Room Enough for Us," "Progress Is the Root Of All Evil," "What's Good for General Bullmoose," "Unnecessary Town" and "The Matrimonial Stomp."

Peter Palme originated the title role in the 1956 Broadway show and reprised it in the 1959 movie version. Capp's inspiration for the character of Li'l Abner came from Henry Fonda's performance in 'The Trail of the Lonesome Pine."

For more information, call (516) 581-2700. -- By Sean McGrath