Rashomon is an ancient Japanese form of storytellingwhere you see a story from several points of view and you find out each person's truth about what that story is. According to The Criterion Collection, “The 1950 movie in which director Akira Kurosawa presents with striking imagery and an ingenious use of flashbacks is a riveting psychological thriller that investigates the nature of truth and the meaning of justice. Rashomon is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made.”

The play, adapted by Fay Kanin and Michael Kanin from the film, involves a crime -- a samurai warrior is killed and his wife is assaulted by a roving bandit. At the trial, the widow, the bandit and even the spirit of the dead samurai warrior get a chance to tell the story of what happened– and each tale is true, in its own fashion.

Academic Theatre students at CCBC Catonsville will explore this compelling drama in performances:

· Thursday, April 14 at 11:15 a.m.

· Friday and Saturday, April 15 and 16 at 8 p.m.

· Sunday, April 17 at 3 p.m. **

· Monday, April 18 at 10 a.m.

All performances will be held in the Center for the Arts Theatre at CCBC Catonsville, 800 S. Rolling Road. Tickets, which are $8 general admission, $5 for seniors, students, CCBC faculty, staff and alumni and free of charge to current students with a valid CCBC ID, are available from the CCBC Box Office at 443-840-ARTS (2787) and at the door prior to each performance if seating is available.

The CCBC Catonsville Academic Theatre cast features Darius Foreman (Edgewood, Md.) as the Husband, Denzel Dickens (Baltimore, Md.) as the Bandit, Tajomaru and Randi Seepersad (Randallstown, Md.) as the wife. Additional cast members are Tirrell Bethel of Pikesville, Md. (Priest), Ayana Towe of Randallstown, Md. (Medium), Robert Mendelson of Owings Mills, Md. (Woodcutter), Mike Smith of Catonsville, Md. (Deputy), Aris Hines of Baltimore, Md.(Wigmaker) and Donita McCollough of Baltimore, Md. (Mother).

The play is directed by CCBC Instructor of Theatre Zachary Hartley, with Scenic and Lighting Design by G. Maurice “Moe” Conn and Costumes by James J. Fasching.

SPECIAL WORLD ARTS FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE – APRIL 17 at 1 p.m.

** In conjunction with CCBC’s World Arts Festival, Nen Daiko will give a special performance demonstrating the art of Japanese Taiko drumming on Sunday, April 17, at 1 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Lounge at CCBC Catonsville.

The Taiko ensemble of the Ekoji Buddhist Temple has been performing and raising awareness of the Japanese art of Taiko drumming in the Washington, D.C. area for more than 20 years. This demonstration will include opportunities to learn about the drums and history of Taiko. (Photo credit: Evan Michio Photography)

The World Arts Festival is supported by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.