CHRISTMAS QUITE SEXY IN 'SPIRIT'.

Byline: Alessandra Djurklou Staff Writer

CHRISTMAS IN Hollywood can be cozy and sweet and awe-inspiring, but it goes without saying that it must also be sexy, glitzy and just a wee bit tacky. ``The Spirit of Christmas,'' the holiday variety show now high-kicking its way around the Kodak Theatre, qualifies on all counts.

There's cozy, with dancers and singers on ``We Need a Little Christmas.'' There's sweet, with ``Marshmallow World.'' And awe-inspiring, with ``Oh Holy Night'' and ``Imagine.''

As for the sexy, anytime you put showgirls in sequin-covered Santa outfits and have them gyrate and bend over to show a variety of panties, that sort of takes any innocent edge off the proceedings.

``Spirit of Christmas'' has no discernible plot. But there is no doubt that the ensemble works its collective tail off, and any slow spots are livened up by an acrobatic elf named Dizzy (sadly uncredited in the program) who engages the audience at every opportunity.

The show has three featured singers. Amanda Kerridge has the weakest voice of the three, but plenty of charm and sex appeal, giving an audience member a real treat with ``Santa Baby'' (the gentleman looked positively enthralled at Tuesday's show when she perched on his lap). David Jennings has a strong voice but was sometimes betrayed by the sound system. Nonetheless, he does a nice job as the seducer on ``Baby It's Cold Outside,'' and in a great gospel duet on the ``Joyful Joyful'' medley. His partner in the duet was Fran Jaye, and Jaye has a powerful voice that also fought the sound system but mostly won. Her renditions of ``Oh Holy Night,'' ``Joyful Joyful'' and ``Imagine'' are great, and she gives the show a class it lacks on some occasions.

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS - Three stars

Where: Kodak Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood.

When: 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. today, 2 and 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Tickets: $25 to $50. [phone].

In a nutshell: There's no place like Hollywood for the holidays.