HOLIDAY THEATER REVIEWS : ‘Alias Santa Claus’ a Family Romp

Crisp, professional performances and unforced seasonal good cheer highlight “Alias Santa Claus,” a tuneful musical parents and children can enjoy together at the Santa Monica Playhouse.

The carol-filled Christmas tale, written and directed by Chris DeCarlo and Evelyn Rudie, is set in the 1800s, when a struggling prairie family gives shelter to a mysterious down-and-out stranger. Despite warnings from a friend who’s sure he has seen that rosy, bearded face on a wanted poster, Nick repays the family’s kindness by showing them that “it’s not what you have, it’s what you do with what you do have.” The show’s unabashed sentiment fits the season, although the sugar allowance is exceeded a mite in the beginning when the characters conveniently have bells at hand for some supposedly impromptu caroling.

* “Alias Santa Claus,” Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Sat.-Sun., 1 and 3 p.m.; also Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. with light supper. Ends Dec. 19. $8 (Thur., $12). (310) 394-9779, Ext. 2. Time: 1 hour. This selection of holiday stage reviews is by The Times ‘ theater writers.