IT'S BOWIE AND A BEAT IN 'LITTLE DRUMMER'.

Byline: Evan Henerson Theater Critic

THAT THE Troubadour Theater Company considers no cow too sacred to be served up as a McDonald's Happy Meal has long been established. With ``The Little Drummer Bowie,'' Matt Walker and his merry band of dancing and punning fools have shown that what happens in a certain manger is ripe for lampooning as well.

The front of the program does, in fact, say ``Parody'' - just in case anybody inside the Falcon Theatre happened to get lost on their way to the Crystal Cathedral.

``Drummer Bowie'' is the story of a plucky percussionist, told via the songs of David Bowie. Mary, Joseph and a bunch of animals put in appearances. As does the savior. And Tom Cruise. In fact, Tom Cruise is one of the saviors, and no, I won't explain. Suffice it to say that's one wickedly tasteless nativity scene.

Kind of a cracked L.A. theatrical treasure, the Troubies have spent the last decade marrying Shakespearean texts with the music of pop artists to develop works that are as brassy and riotous as they are original. Of late, the company has begun to give the same irreverence to holiday classics with ``A Christmas Carole King'' and ``It's a Stevie Wonderful Life.'' ``Drummer Bowie'' is the first holiday tale they've tackled that has any kind of a religious theme, and director Walker and his cast aren't looking to tread lightly.

Nor should they. It wouldn't be a Troubadour show if it didn't skirt the line between good and bad taste. And, really, for all their free-wheeling nature, every new Troubie show is so carefully constructed, so rich in song (via music director Erik Heinly's live band) and movement (canny choreographer Nadine Ellis) that there's usually something at this party for audiences of all ages.

Faithfully following the structure of the 1968 animated ``Little Drummer Boy,'' ``Bowie'' gives us Ziggy (played by Joseph Lee Bwarie), an over-painted, punked-out drummer who hates mankind and travels the desert with his animal friends. A showman named Ben (Walker) and his untrusty companion, Ali (Beth Kennedy), sweep up Ziggy and animals and look to exploit their moneymaking potential. Ultimately, angry Ziggy will encounter three Kings and the aforementioned saviors.

The jokes won't translate in print, and you get the sense that a well-timed accident could alter ``Drummer Bowie'' from performance to performance. The overalls-wearing puppet with Timothy Groff's head who first appeared as Tiny Tim three years ago and has returned in every show since, is back (apparently resistance is futile). But there is no trampoline in Bethlehem. Not to worry: ``Drummer Bowie'' has plenty of bounce, even without the springs.

It's the actors playing animals who steal the show this time. As Samson the Donkey, Tina Aguirre Groff generates plenty of laughs with volleys of comic, nonsensical braying. Dan Waskom's Joshua the Camel, meanwhile, is just about the most artful stilt dancer you'll find outside of a big top. He does, however, have to periodically shed those limbs to get through metal detectors (again, don't ask).

Framing Ziggy's tale is a storyteller, Kathy (Lisa Valenzuela) from the Toluca Lake Adjacent Community Library Players, who chuckles with intense creepiness and sings Christmas tunes in a strong voice. Yes, amid the spoofing and the revelry, you'll get a little holiday cheer as well.

Evan Henerson, [phone]

evan.henerson(at)dailynews.com

THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOWIE - Three and one half stars

Where: Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank.

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday; through Dec. 23.

Tickets: $25 to $37.50. Call [phone].

In a nutshell: A newborn Troubie-born farce to see, pa rum pa pum pum.

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``Little Drummer Bowie'' takes a Christmas classic and infuses it with music and plenty of humor.