Two Christmas classics aglow on LI stages

For some, the holiday would be incomplete without "A Christmas Story" the 1983 movie based on Jean Shepherd's tale of a boy whose sole wish is for a Red Ryder BB gun. I'm among those who don't get why this quirky piece of nostalgia rates a cable marathon every Dec. 24 and 25.

But "A Christmas Story: The Musical," making a very merry Long Island premiere at the Engeman Theater, may change my mind.

Key plot elements remain. Besides Ralphie's BB obsession, there's the kid goaded into sticking out his tongue against a freezing flagpole, the sleazy department store Santa and the Old Man's crossword contest prize -- a slinky leg lamp. As directed by Richard Dolce, the musical makes all those scenes funnier. I dare you not to laugh out loud to "A Major Award," which I won't describe so as not to spoil its exquisite sight gag.

Steve Luker is a loudmouth softy as the Old Man, a gruff match for Mother, played with understated wile by Gina Milo. As Ralphie's teacher, Kathryn Markey is vampishly delightful in "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out," echoing Mother's favorite line. And you'll want to muss the hair of adorable Griffin Reese as Ralphie's kid brother who must be tricked into eating.

David Schmittou narrates as grown-up Ralphie. But the show belongs to Ethan Eisenberg as the kid whose glasses are thick enough to thwart BBs. He sets the comic-fantasy tone in "Ralphie to the Rescue" and never loosens his boyish grip. Jon Collins' domestic set and Tristan Raines' period costumes epitomize midcentury America, while Jonathon Lynch's orchestra paces every step in Antoinette DiPietropolo's crisp choreography.

Be careful. You may laugh your eyes out.

Crisp 'Carol'

Every year, Jeffrey Sanzel tweaks his adaptation of "A Christmas Carol," in which he's played Scrooge more than 1,000 times, "to keep it fresh." This season's refreshments at Theatre Three feature Brett Chizever as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Sue Anne Dennehy as Ebenezer's housekeeper. Chizever's exuberant ghost grows weary of Scrooge's miserly existence, while Dennehy's Mrs. Dilber is so approachable that we see how thoroughly he has divorced himself from humanity.

They, along with Steve McCoy's wicked Marley, Doug Quattrock's forgiving Bob Cratchit and an alternating cast of kids -- from Tiny Tim to the Child of Want -- bring home the miracle of Scrooge's redemption.