CCM's 'Rashomon' a Tale of Lust, Lawlessness and the Search for Truth
The searing drama
Rashomon
, an ancient Japanese tale of passion and deceit, continues the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music's (CCM's) Mainstage Series. Performances take place in CCM's Patricia Corbett Theater April 24-27, with a specially priced
preview April 23.
One thousand years ago in a bamboo forest outside Kyoto, an outlaw kills a samurai and ravishes his wife -- or are things really so black and white? With four witnesses offering conflicting versions of events, how does one know right from wrong? A penetrating look into the human psyche, Rashomon is an enduring theatrical work that illustrates the power of perception.
Based on stories by Japanese author Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Rashomon was first brought to life in 1950 in an Academy Award-winning film by legendary director Akira Kurosawa. Reinterpreted by Fay and Michael Kanin as a stage drama, Rashomon premiered on Broadway on Jan. 27, 1959, with Rod Steiger starring in the role of the outlaw and Claire Bloom as the samurai's wife. Even decades later, ongoing fascination with this story told from
varying perspectives has made the work as fresh today as its stage premiere nearly 50 years ago.
Casey Leach and Katelyn Groh in CCM's production of 'Rashomon'
According to director and faculty member R. Terrell Finney, Jr., the decision to present "Rashomon" was one he'd considered for many years. Said Finney, "We found the story to be so compelling and the themes to be so provocative that we felt it important for us to explore."
To fully evoke the work's ancient Japanese setting, CCM's production of Rashomon features elaborately handcrafted costumes and specially created weaponry, with energetic fight sequences choreographed by faculty member k. Jenny Jones. Continued Finney, "In addition to providing fascinating challenges to our actors, Rashomon has also allowed our design students an exceptional opportunity to research and study a period seldom seen on
stage."
Please see below for ticket information and a complete performance schedule.
_____
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Mainstage Drama Series
RASHOMON
Written by Fay and Michael Kanin
R. Terrell Finney, Jr., director
An ancient Japanese tale of passion and deceit, Rashomon takes place one thousand years ago. In a bamboo forest outside Kyoto, an outlaw kills a samurai and ravishes his wife -- or are things really so black and white? With four witnesses offering conflicting versions of events, how does one know right from wrong? A penetrating look into the human psyche, Rashomon
is an enduring drama that illustrates the power of perception.
Performance Dates:
April 24-27 (Preview: April 23)
* Wednesday, April 23 (preview): 8 p.m.
* Thursday, April 24 & Friday, April 25: 8 p.m.
* Saturday, April 26: 2:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.
* Sunday, April 27: 2:30 p.m.
Location:
Patricia Corbett Theater
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Tickets:
$10 (April 23 preview only); $15-27
To order, visit www.ccm.uc.edu or call 513-556-4183.
Parking:
Available in the CCM Garage and additional garages on the UC campus
Additional Information:
www.ccm.uc.edu
Mainstage Season Sponsor: Duke Energy
Season Design Sponsor: Macy's
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