'Rashomon' opens at Hillcrest Center

'THAT'S NOT THE WAY I REMEMBER IT'—Lauren Girard, center, as the wife, watches her husband, played by Mark Goles, right, battle the bandit, played by Erik Melton, in Gothic Productions' season opener "Rashomon." The show runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Jan. 9 through 25 at Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. For tickets, call (805) 381-1246. Gothic Productions ushers in the new year with its production of the drama "Rashomon," the classic Japanese tale of crime and deceit.

Performances will be Jan. 9 through 25 at the Theatre on the Hill/Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.

Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Based on the stories of Ryunosuke Akutagawa, the English-language play is by Fay and Michael Kanin.

The basis for the 1950 film by Akira Kurosawa, "Rashomon" tells a story of an alleged rape and murder from multiple points of view.

Each time the tale is retold, the story changes to suit the perceptions of the teller.

The production is directed by Theresa Secor and features Lauren Girard, Eric Melton, Mark Goles, Alex Matute, Michael Jordan, Robert Weibezahl, Ivy Ratafia, Karla Juliana and James Glasner.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. For tickets, call the box office at (805) 381-1246 or visit the website www.hillcrestarts.com. For the group rate for 10 or more, call (818) 991-1207.