The December series, which began Dec. 2 with "Florenz Ziegfeld: Master Showman, will next offer "Irving Berlin: American Legend" Dec. 9. The 5 PM discussion will trace the career of the poor immigrant who went on to write such musicals as Annie Get Your Gun and Call Me Madam and the tunes "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Cheek to Cheek," "Let's Face the Music and Dance," "Top Hat" and "Easter Parade." "Noel Coward: Happy 107th!" is the title of the Dec. 16 discussion. The 5 PM chat will focus on the man who became a symbol of 20th-century wit and sophistication. Among Coward's most famous works are Private Lives, Design for Living, Blithe Spirit, Present Laughter and Sail Away.

The December Conversations series will conclude Dec. 23 with "Al Jolson: The World's Greatest." The afternoon discussion, according to press notes, will consider Jolson's "life and career, which stretched from vaudeville to the big screen and radio."

Tickets, priced at $10 ($5 with That Time of the Year ticket stub), are available at the door the day of the discussion. The York Theatre Company in Saint Peter's Theatre is located at 54th Street, east of Lexington Avenue. For reservations call (212) 935-5824, ext. 21.