THEATER REVIEW : Ojai Company’s Secular Staging Clips Wings of ‘Littlest Angel’ : Even though it’s a holiday production, the script carefully avoids any Christian context.

Staged with the beauty that’s synonymous with the name “Illusions Theater,” the Ojai company’s seasonal production of “The Littlest Angel” is aimed for the very young indeed. Its script so carefully avoids any Christian context that one might wonder why artistic director Elizabeth Ridenour bothered staging it in the first place--or at least why at Christmastime.

Her adaptation of Charles Tazewell’s story has the young inhabitants of Heaven rounding up presents for a baby who, we’re told, is destined to become “a great teacher.” Whether that’s young Annie Sullivan (who grew up to instruct Helen Keller), the infant Bob Ferris (who as an adult tried to drum the essentials of English into many classes of Ventura High School students), or a universal being isn’t hinted at in this version of the story.

Kyle Sparks plays Scott, the title character, who joins the Heavenly Host on a pair of in-line skates. The cause of his demise--slamming into a wall at 30 m.p.h.--isn’t explained, but it’s an impressive entrance.

Initially reluctant to don his wings, he’s persuaded to stick around, no alternatives being offered, and eventually resigns himself to eons of walking around the clouds barefoot in a white robe.

At the end of the show, everybody comes up with presents for the expected baby. Scott can only offer his box of souvenirs from Earth, which, he’s assured, is the best gift of all.

The whole thing is presented with several songs, including “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (Meher Baba can be invoked, as is the Roman god Mercury, but not Jesus Christ), and, in the best moment of the show, there’s a rousing gospelish version of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young,” led by “Choir Master” Mike Dores.

Others with major roles include Tim Sumner as the Gatekeeper, Jenny Brown and Harmony Kaufer as the Halo Smith and Wingmaker, Renee Martinez as the Song Keeper, and Susan Sumner as something called “The Understanding Angel,” as if angels aren’t generally all that understanding. Sitting at Heaven’s synthesizer, and the only angel allowed footwear, is Michael Bolotin.

The whole thing clocks in at a scant 45 minutes. The sets and costumes are ambitious and lovely, and the only people likely to be offended by the play are those who abhor the relentlessly purposefully bland.

Details

* WHEN: Saturday and Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m., through Dec. 12.

* WHERE: Ojai Arts Center, 113 S. Montgomery, Ojai.

* COST: $6.50 general admission; $4.50 for seniors and children.

* FYI: Advance tickets are available at Table of Contents in Ojai, and at Kideos in Ventura. For reservations or further information, call 649-1107