There is rich history in Rashomon, Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra’s (CATS) April/May 2026 production at the Nevada Theatre. In 1915 Japan, there were the Rashomon short stories published by Ryunosuke Akutagawa. Then came Akira Kurosawa’s film in 1950, by the same name, garnering national and international acclaim, especially for its “experimental” direction and cinematography, and winning Best Foreign Language Film at the 24th Academy Awards. The play, by Fay and Michael Kanin, premiered on Broadway in 1959, starring Rod Steiger and Claire Bloom, and was nominated for three Tony awards. Since then, Rashomon has been performed throughout the U.S. and the world. What large boots for CATS to fill in its spring production! Rashomon takes a deep dive into the exploration of truth and justice.
As a prelude and fundraiser to our upcoming play, and in collaboration with The Onyx Downtown at the Nevada Theatre, CATS is showing the restored film on Wednesday, March 18, 7:00 p.m., starring Toshirô Mifune. It is promoted as a “Bento Box Dinner and Movie”. Patrons have the option to purchase a Bento Box outside the Theatre from the Kaliko’s Hawaiian Kitchen food truck parked in front of the Nevada Theatre beginning at 6:00 p.m. and then enjoy the dinner inside the Theatre. Concessions will also be available. Advance $20 tickets are available at The Onyx at https://www.theonyxtheatre.com/movies/773-rashomon-1950/. Tickets will also be available at the door. Check out the trailer at https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/548#play=L2E_DfExUmU.
A Japanese sword fight demonstration by Grass Valley Aikikai, under the direction of Cecilia Ramos, will take place before the movie, followed by a brief talk and Q&A after the movie with director Sonny Alforque, who will explore how the movie has been interpreted and reimagined for the stage. This special screening offers a thoughtful introduction to the live theatrical performance of Rashomon. See the movie to “whet your appetite” for CATS’ upcoming play from April 23 – May 16, at the Nevada Theatre. Tickets to the play are available at https://catsweb.org.
Attention Martial Arts Students: Discount play tickets
Discount tickets to Rashomon, the play, are available to students of martial arts (judo, karate, kung-fu, kuk sool, taekwondo, aikido, and jiu-jitsu), aged 14+ and adults. Please email info@catsweb.org for details. Rashomon plays at the Nevada Theatre from April 23 to May 16.
Know & go
WHAT: Rashomon screening and dinner fundraiser
WHERE: Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City
WHEN: Wednesday, March 18 | 7:00 p.m.
DINNER: Kaliko’s Hawaiian Kitchen food truck parked in front of the Nevada Theatre beginning at 6:00 p.m.
COST: $20 in advance
TICKETS: Available at https://www.theonyxtheatre.com/ | Tickets also available at the door