Actress Joan Crawford could be...unpleasant. So could gossip goddess Hedda Hopper. When the two meet up at Crawford's Hollywood home in 1944, the infamous broadcast that resulted was ripe for comic contemplation.

Richard Winchester, Mark Sargent and Wayne Buidens have imagined the campy possibilities in Christmas With the Crawfords, running Dec. 2-30 at New York City's Grove Street Playhouse. Donna Drake directs and choreographs with musical direction by Joe Collins.

As Hopper chats up Crawford, star of such films as "Above Suspicion," "The Women" and "Grand Hotel," a parade of stars make their way through the Brentwood estate on their way to Gary Cooper's Christmas Party next door. Celebs singing and dancing their way through the Crawford broadcast include Judy Garland, Ann Miller, Ethel Merman, Carmen Miranda and the Andrews Sisters. Even Crawford's children, Christina and Christopher (you may remember them from the book and film "Mommie Dearest," a testament to the film star's child-rearing skills) get in on the act.

Joey Arias stars Crawford. Also in the cast are Connie Champagne, Trauma Flintstone, Steve Grenyo, Chris March, Matthew Martin, Mark Sargent and Jason Scott.

Tickets are $35-$30. The Grove Street Playhouse is located at 39 Grove Street. For reservations, call (212) 879-5575. — By Christine Ehren