STAGE REVIEW : ‘Legends’ Concert: Vulgar Kitsching Under Mistletoe : Theater: In Las Vegas, the show had an underlying thrust of comedy and grandiose bad taste that fit the surroundings. But here, with an emotional sway aimed at evoking Christmas, it borders on the tasteless.

SANTA ANA — “Legends in Concert: Christmas With the Legends” at Hamptons begins in a vaguely surreal haze of nostalgia. A Bing Crosby impersonator emerges from the dark and moseys about humming carols. He’s a tad startled by the audience but soon gets into the flow, telling everybody in his chummiest manner that there’s bound to be fun ahead.

Before long, Bing is off and crooning “In the Blue of the Night.” That done with, he reminds us that there’s more joy on the way. Guess who’s coming over? Why, it’s Karen Carpenter and Marilyn Monroe. Heck, those two hang out all the time. And guess what else? Elvis may turn up as well. He does, of course, and they all sing their hits and traditional holiday tunes, with a little banter tossed in.

The setting of John Stuart’s show obviously tries to evoke all those kitschy Christmas television specials that used to be so popular, and still are to a certain extent. We’re supposed to feel like were sitting in Bing’s living room, having a gas with his special pals. The commercials are missing. So are the originals. We can do without the commercials, but we sure could use the originals.

As with most “Legends” productions, this one raises the question of why there’s any inherent attraction in a group of impostors pretending to be stars of the past. But who cares, really? It’s ultimately silly to over-analyze something like this.

The bottom line is that some people may find it all charming, either as a campy amusement or a legitimate tribute to their favorite stars. And just as predictably, other more serious fans may think it’s sacrilege, a howl in the temple of memory.

This reviewer found Monday’s opening night performance funny at times, but it was more from unintentional humor, like when Elvis really revs up the hip-shakes and tries desperately to get the old ladies interested. Mainly, though, it was boring, simply because the show is so artless and unimaginative. It’s a limited and limiting concept that really can’t overcome itself.

It suffers especially under this forced Christmas orientation. At least in Las Vegas--where “Legends” began and flourished--it had an underlying thrust of comedy and grandiose bad taste that fit the surroundings. But here, with an emotional sway aimed at evoking holiday feelings, it verges on the vulgar.

As for the performers, they were competent enough. Hard-working, too. None of them has the singing down exactly, although Raymond Michael’s Elvis is very close, and Robert York’s Bing hits the mark much of the time. They’re approximations, which is what the acting is also all about.

There are dozens of Elvis and Marilyn impersonators because, if you’re at all skilled, they’re relatively easy styles to capture. Michael and Susan Griffiths as Monroe have a confident grasp on them, but they’re no better than many others. York did deliver on Crosby’s breezy persona, but Carla Fiore’s Carpenter was a cipher; she could have been any girl with a pleasant voice.

In defense of the show, Monday’s small audience did appear pleased. Several people even sang along when Bing, his pipe raised jauntily, and Elvis, his sneer tucked away in deference to the Christmas cheer, asked them to join in the caroling.

“Legends in Concert: Christmas With the Legends” plays today through Saturday and Dec. 26-30 at 8 p.m. at Hamptons, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana. Tickets: $20. (714) 979-5511.