The song "White Christmas" is, of course, the best-known number in the Irving Berlin score for the 1954 movie musical of that title. In fact, it's considered the most recorded song of all time.

But another Berlin tune that more closely befits the 5th Avenue Theatre's big, glossy stage version of the "White Christmas" film, which after its first run here goes to Sacramento and, next winter, to Denver.

It's "Count Your Blessings." And there are some blessings to tote up here, ones that ameliorate the hit-and-miss gags and sometimes cloying nostalgia of this holiday pop-out card of a show.

"White Christmas" the movie turns up annually on TV. A reliable old bauble, it stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as World War II army buddies and song-and-dance men who unite to help save their beloved former general's unprofitable Vermont inn. While doing so, in an unseasonably warm New England winter, they also fall for sister act Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.

With its vibrant Technicolor, Crosby-Clooney cool and campy shtick (including a half-drag male duet of "Sisters"), the movie is silly and endearing.

The theatrical version, however, really needs the blessings it gets at the 5th Avenue — given that the book (which author Paul Blake based on the "White Christmas" film script for a 2000 production elsewhere, and playwright David Ives doctored for a 2004 version) doesn't get into comic gear until the second act.

So, those blessings: First off, the score itself, crammed with famed Berlin tunes ("I Love a Piano," "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," "Blue Skies") and clever novelties (i.e., "Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun").

Just as important is the ingratiating 5th Avenue cast.

Appealing Broadway tenor Michael Gruber wears Der Bingle's songs and role (of Bob) neatly. His love interest, Christina Saffran Ashford's Betty, sings and pouts nicely in the Rosemary Clooney part.

Adding second-couple sparkle are Tari Kelly as Betty's sis Judy and Greg McCormick Allen as Bob's sidekick Phil. They have grand dance chemistry, and make like Marge and Gower Champion (look 'em up, children) when they take to a night club floor for their first pairing (to Berlin's charming "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing").

Others deserving a shout-out are the valuable Carol Swarbrick, dashing off tart one-liners and belting out "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy"; 10-year old Keaton Whittaker, a nifty little singer and comedienne (in some performances her role will be played by local youngster Olivia Spokoiny); and old trouper Clayton Corzatte, who Yanks it up as a (mostly) monosyllabic Vermont codger.

The show has a batch of peppy dances, choreographed by Jamie Rocco (who co-directed the production with David Armstrong). And the whole shebang is buoyed along by excellent big-band-inflected orchestrations, dispatched with vigor by conductor James May and the pit players.

Lovers of retro fashion should enjoy the parade of '50s pastel cocktail gowns (the rented costumes are designed by Carrie Robbins, but very attractively tweaked by the 5th Avenue).

What's left? Oh yeah, the snow. It's there, eventually. And it's a lot easier to handle than the kind that piles up and freezes on your driveway.