THEATER REVIEWS : At Home All Over the Map : La Habra Depot’s songfest has a cozy, small-town feel despite meandering in time and from place to place.

The very site of the La Habra Depot Theatre--the town’s former train station--tells you that the style here is quintessential small-town America, and the company’s Yuletide show, “Christmas at the Depot,” fits right in. But even small-town America can get a bit loopy at times.

Under the hand of director-choreographer Larry Watts, various ensembles from adults to kids regale us with an eclectic program of Christmas songs. But this isn’t just a show of chorales and solos-in-place (though there is a lot of that). It seems to be taking place in someone’s home, cheerily designed by Watts.

Whose home is not clear. At first it seems to belong to the extended family of adults and kids, but then it is taken over by Santa and Mrs. Claus (played, we’re told, by themselves) and the elves. Even odder, after a 20-minute Act I and a 15-minute intermission, Act II has a teen ensemble dressed in Victorian garb singing such pop standards as “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” to musical director Patrick Copeland’s pre-taped, jazz-based arrangements.

Pacing problems jingle along with the anachronisms: We have to jump, for instance, right from a medley of sacred songs into “Reindeer Rap,” with Santa in shades. Timed differently and placed elsewhere, it could have been funny.

The show is still cute, especially with the toddlers (as young as 3) gamely singing “The Little Drummer Boy.” On the other end of the spectrum, singers Nicki Peek and Lynette Deveraux seduce Mr. Claus amusingly with “Santa Baby,” while Denise Hadland brings all the kitsch and small-town mood to a halt with a serious, moving rendition of the “Carol of the Bells.”

* “Christmas at the Depot,” La Habra Depot Theatre, 311 S. Euclid, La Habra. Friday-Saturday and Dec. 21 and 22, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Ends Dec. 23. $7.50-$10. (310) 905-9708. Running time: 1 hour, 15 minutes.