THEATER REVIEWS : ‘JACK AND THE BEANSTALK’ : Fee-Fi-Fo-Fun : Illusions Theatre Company adds new twists to an old tale that will entertain children and adults.

Ojai’s Illusions Theatre Company opened its 12th season of imaginative productions for children with a version of “Jack and the Beanstalk” at Libbey Bowl.

Adapted and directed by Illusions founder Elizabeth Ridenour, the show is a rousing success that should entertain parents as well.

The story starts traditionally enough as Jack defies his mother by selling the family cow for a packet of beans that are guaranteed to be magical.

When a beanstalk miraculously grows through the clouds, Jack does what anyone would do: He climbs to the top, where he finds a castle inhabited by a giant whose favorite food is Englishmen.

From there on, it’s a free-for-all with at least one familiar character--the hen who lays the golden eggs--plus several newcomers to the legend.

While not as intricate as a Moorpark Melodrama production, there is plenty going on during a comfortable hour.

Typical of Illusions productions, the play features all ages, from parents to toddlers, and there is a fair amount of music and dance along with the story.

Aram Freeman plays Jack, naive but well-meaning, and Ridenour has cast herself as Jack’s indulgent mother.

Tim Sumner is Slippery Sam, who trades Jack the beans for his cow, and Molly the cow is played by Nan Daneau and Chris Babayco, who steal the show every time they are on the stage.

Molly’s vocabulary is limited to variations of “moo,” but she is very expressive.

Cheryl Magee turns in a nice performance as the giant’s housekeeper; Gita Gould is featured as the hen; Karen Campbell, Chelsea Campbell and Nicholas Stroud appear as a set of musical spoons; and there are nine singing and dancing bags of money.

West Craig Smith creates quite a presence as the Giant, who is, fortunately, even dumber than Jack.

And with this Jack, it’s consideration, rather than greed, that sends him back to the Giant’s castle to bring the moneybags, spoons, chicken, and even Hilda, the housekeeper, back to Earth.

Smith and Sumner each sing a perky original song aided by wireless microphones, the rest of the cast has to make do by singing or speaking loud.

Other music (including a few pop songs) is supplied by a band headed by Seabury Gould on keyboards and guitar; a tape of his music for kids is available for sale at the ticket counter.

Seth Ridenour’s set and Kim Stroud’s costumes are up to the company’s usual standard, and the beanstalk itself is quite impressive.

Rowdy and raucous, the play even spills out into the audience, and should entertain anybody who’s able to understand the story.

* WHERE AND WHEN

“Jack and the Beanstalk” concludes this weekend at Libbey Bowl in Ojai’s Libbey Park. Performances are at 4 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday; the final show only will be signed for the hearing-impaired by Debbie Tygell. General admission tickets are $6.50; $4 for seniors and children. For group rates or additional information, call 646-3533.