Composer David Shire finishes up his limited engagement of The Story Goes On: The Music of Maltby and Shire Dec. 13 at Off-Broadway's Kaufman Theatre. The revue of songs written by Shire, lyricist Richard Maltby Jr. and others began Nov. 24, with singer Loni Ackerman at Shire's side.

The show is part of the "In Performance at the Kaufman" series sponsored by Peter Ligeti, who brought Wesla Whitfield and Steve Ross into the 42nd Street venue earlier this fall.

Singing with Shire is actress-vocalist Ackerman (Evita, Cats), performing material from such Maltby-Shire revues and musicals as Big, Baby, Starting Here, Starting Now and Closer Than Ever. Ray Roderick directs the production. There are plans to make the show available for bookings around the country.

Among Maltby and Shire songs represented in The Story Goes On are: "Miss Bird" and "The Bear, the Tiger, the Hampster and the Mole" (from Closer Than Ever); "Little Susan Lawrence," "Stop, Time," "Say Good Morning to Mom" and "Let's Not Move Too fast" (all from Big); "Crossword Puzzle," "Flair," "I Hear Bells" and "Travel" (all from Starting Hear, Starting Now) and "Two People in Love," "The Story Goes On" and "With You" (all from Baby).

Among non-Maltby collaborators included are Carol Conners ("With You I'm Born Again" from the film, "Fast Break"), Norman Gimbel ("It Goes Like It Goes" from "Norma Rae"), Marilyn and Alan Bergman ("I'll Never Say Goodbye" from "The Promise") and Shire himself ("My Favorite Old Standard," "Back on Base"). Shire is an Academy Award-winner for his score to "Norma Rae" and also scored "All the President's Men," "Return to Oz," "The World According to Garp" and "The Conversation" (the theme of which will be played in the revue) and more.

Melissa Manchester, Barbra Streisand and Jennifer Warrens have all recorded Shire tunes.

The Kaufman Theatre is at 534 West 42nd St. in Manhattan. For information, call (212) 246-8949.

-- By Kenneth Jones