THEATER REVIEWS : Wry ‘Follies’ Full of Zip and Good Cheer

Fifty-seven songs are listed in the program for “The Fa La-La-La Follies (A Musical Mishmash of Holiday Mirth)” at Enchanted Forest’s Center Stage in Woodland Hills.

Most of the traditional carols aren’t here. Instead, we get Alan Chapman’s “It’s Christmas and We’re Jewish,” Allan Sherman’s update of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” Ervin Drake’s “Vot Makes Santa Run?” and Dale Gonyea’s “Christmas in Beverly Hills.”

Wry lyrics in the style of a family form letter adorn the “Hallelujah Chorus.” And in Kristine Zbornik’s “Surabaya Santa,” Sue Brother as Mrs. Claus tells all, with hilarious venom.

Brother also conceived (with husband Martin Brother) and staged (with Michael Stern) this zippy show, and the three of them are joined by Chera Bashor and master accompanist Dale Phillips as the show’s performers.

Not every singer is right for every song, but the four-part harmonies glow. The Christmas/Hanukkah numbers (and snippets of numbers) plus a parade of seasonal costumes rush by with charm and good cheer.

* “The Fa La-La-La Follies,” Center Stage (The Enchanted Forest), 20929 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Ends on New Year’s Eve, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. $15. (818) 716-7202 or (805) 297-0763. Running time: 2 hours.