THEATER REVIEW ‘COYOTE WAS HERE’ : Dreamy Production : Illusions Theatre company brings to life witty stories based on Indian folklore. The show concludes this weekend.

For the second year running, Ojai’s Illusions Theatre company has delved into local American Indian folklore as a source for its youth-oriented production.

Typical of all Illusions productions, “Coyote Was Here” brings together a large cast ranging from young children to adults, equips them with some frequently stunning costumes and allows them to work their magic in front of an audience.

Word of Illusions’ consistent quality is getting out: Saturday’s crowd at Libbey Bowl in Ojai was a virtual sellout. The show concludes its limited run this weekend.

Continuity is afforded by the recurring figure of an aged woman of Chumash ancestry, played by director-writer Elizabeth Ridenour. As she did last year, the old woman brings three grandchildren to a cave deep in the woods, its walls painted with ancient petroglyphs. Sending the children to fetch some water, Granny falls asleep and dreams.

Into her dreams come a variety of birds and beasts of the area, from a crafty family of foxes to a sinister shark, washed up on the beach. The beasts and birds act out various stories meant to explain the natural (as opposed to “New World”) order of things, and why we act the way we do.

The stories are wittily written and acted, though parents may have to explain the composition and properties of tar (the Chumash evidently had a story anticipating Joel Chandler Harris’ Uncle Remus by several centuries) and what’s meant by “defecation.” Good luck. Also, even though the entire program runs only about an hour, very young children are likely to get restless.

Illusions discourages star turns, so performances are divided up fairly evenly among the large cast with the exception of Ridenour and Glen Emanuel, who portrays the father coyote. The acting is of uniform quality throughout.

Special note might be made of the dancing, particularly the scene in which (as last year) the petroglyphs come to life. Music is supplied by flute, percussion, singer Renee Martinez and a traditional Chumash synthesizer (in truth, it’s a Yamaha), all under the direction of composer-guitarist Seabury Gould.

All in all, “Coyote Was Here” is an exceedingly pleasant way to spend an hour or so on a warm Ojai evening.

* WHERE AND WHEN

“Coyote Was Here” will be performed Saturday and Sunday nights at 7:30 in Libbey Bowl, Libbey Park, on Ojai Avenue in downtown Ojai. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3.50 for children, with group discounts available. Seating is general admission, so early arrival is advised. For further information, call 646-3533.