I'll just say it right off. The new Christmas-themed play at Burien Little Theatre, "Christmas With the Crawfords" is a hoot, and believe me, that's a good thing in this, the dark time of the year in the Northwest.

It's also like walking into someone else's fantasy, so be aware that you might feel a bit off kilter at times watching this campy, witty slice of life from a book page of "Mommie Dearest" Joan Crawford's less joyful moments in her career.

With a set that dazzles as much as it draws the audience into this bitingly witty musical dramady, one is set for an old-fashioned Christmas gathering, only this is definitely not that sort of thing.

From the moment actor Dave Clelland (doing a darkly funny Joan Crawford in wig and heels) steps onto the vintage set done by Leah Smith, one is sure this isn't going to make for a cheery holiday for anyone being 'entertained' by Ms. Crawford.

We certainly know little Christina (played by Brad Walker with such authenticity, I actually winced when he was scolded by Clelland as dragon lady Crawford) and Christopher (played by Tori Guidry) won't be enjoying this holiday at all.

As other better and more popular actresses show up, because they mistake Joan's house for Gary Cooper's house (they apparently live next door in this show about old Hollywood), Joan's temper reaches the boiling point.

After all, she is the star of this 'show,' which is a live broadcast done by Hedda Hopper (Mark William, also in drag), who cringes as Joan screams at her kids, makes catty remarks to the other stars that drop by and in every way behaves like a true hellion.

No one is safe from her drunken tirade, which gets more and more vitriolic as it becomes obvious everyone's working in pictures but her, who has to do a screen test for her next film, because she's become "box office poison."

The parade of actresses, (played by winsome Jackie Graybill, buxom Claudette Hatcher, Russ Kay in drag as Ethel Merman, and Laura York as a declining beauty, Gloria Swanson, as well as a spiteful, bratty Shirley Temple played by Lynne Randall, who also plays Carmen Miranda as a bubbly, sexy bimbo with a heavy accent) troop through, making the play all that more dreamy and surreal and keep interrupting Joan's broadcast with holiday numbers of their own.

This is perhaps the strongest and most entertaining part of the show and must not be missed.

But it's the knock down, drag out fight between Clelland as Crawford and sweet Brad Walker (in drag. too) as Christina that left me open-mouthed in both horror and mirth. A true piece of theatre art indeed.

The show runs through Dec. 20th, with shows on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Burien Little Theatre is located on 437 S.W. 144th St. in Burien.

For tickets, call the theatre box office at 206-242-5180.

One thing is certain, after you see "Christmas With The Crawfords," no matter how dysfunctional your family is, you'll feel much better about seeing them this year.