THEATER REVIEW / ‘WALK IN MY MOCCASINS’ : Chumash Lore : Ojai’s Libbey Bowl has been decorated with painted totems as part of acting group’s salute to American Indian legends.

Ojai’s family oriented Illusions Theatre company this weekend winds up the current edition of “Walk in My Moccasins,” its annual show presenting stories adapted from Chumash and other American Indian legends.

The group has bedecked Libbey Bowl to resemble a cave, decorated with painted totems that regulars will recognize from previous versions of the show--though this year’s stories are being presented for the first time.

Artistic director Elizabeth Ridenour adapted the five stories from three books of folk legends, and credits the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum with costumes and other creative assistance.

Ridenour reprises her role as “Grandmother,” a woman celebrating her 80th birthday who returns to the cave to recall ancient stories, which are acted out by members of the large troupe.

Each of the five stories couches a moral, explains a natural phenomenon, or simply details an adventure.

“The Story of a Cat” is an adventure tale of a feline who fixes up its human companion with a chief’s daughter by persuading her that the not-too-bright young man has a lot of money. Evidently, the Chumash knew what a gold digger was. The two marry and presumably live happily ever after, though in real life the chief might have had the deceitful young man flayed alive.

Most of the stories are anthropomorphic--with the cat, various frogs, a raven, an octopus and a coyote behaving as humans would, if not smarter. One story demonstrates that the Chumash ascribed near-human characteristics to porpoises.

The huge cast ranges from young children to adults. A little more ethnic diversity might be nice, but the lack thereof might just be a reflection of who’s available in Ojai.

Musical backing, quite lovely to listen to in its own right, is produced by composer Seabury Gould on guitar and flute, percussionists Randal Marsh and Mitchel Velasquez, and singer-keyboardist Renee Martinez.

This is definitely a show for the entire family; even those too young to understand the dialogue should be captured by the imagery, and at just over an hour, the production ends at about the time the youngest kids start getting antsy.

* WHERE AND WHEN

“Walk in My Moccasins” concludes this weekend at Libbey Bowl, in Libbey Park off Ojai Avenue in downtown Ojai. Performances will be tomorrow and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; the Saturday show will be interpreted for the hearing-impaired by Deby Tygell. Tickets are $6.50; $4 for seniors and children. For group rates or additional information, call 646-3533 or 646-6387.