THE TAROT READING Returns, Stages Most Ambitious & Innovative Show Yet

The Tarot Reading announces their fifth and most exciting production yet, Tarot V. The Tarot Reading is a variety show where eclectic artists devise acts inspired by the Tarot. Each is interactive, performed for and with one adventurous (and consenting) audience member. What happens next can be almost anything--past acts have included belly dancing, stage magic, lip-sync battles, professional wrestling and more. Tarot V will run May 9-26, the show's longest run yet.

Tarot V features performances from a vaudevillian (Gwen Grastorf), a zookeeper (David S Kessler), a dancer (Rachel Menyuk), an actor/singer (Toni Rae Salmi), a book podcaster (Rebecca Speas), a rapper (Shaq Stewart) and a yoga instructor (Yasmin Tuazon). It is hosted by historian Joan Cummins as The Fool.

"It's the fans of The Tarot Reading that made this happen," says co-founder and producer Quill Nebeker. "When we crowdfunded last year, we set our sights high and the fans really showed up. Equal credit goes to ARCH DC, who took a chance on us last year and invited us back for a long run."

For the first time, The Tarot Reading will offer two different ways to see the show. Fans of immersive entertainment can get a ticket guaranteeing they experience one of twenty-one interactive vignettes first-hand. For those who prefer their shows short and sweet, a short-form version of nine vignettes is also available. During short-form shows (called Nine Card Draw), interactive participants are drawn at random from those who wish to try their luck.

"Since we started, we've amassed a bit of a cult following." Says Nebeker. "We wanted, and the fans wanted, to be able to share the show. That was hard when we were only doing weekend-long runs--we'd sell out too fast! For Tarot V, we're doing Nine Card Draw to make more space for new and returning fans alike to feel the weird, magical, communal energy that happens at The Tarot Reading. Of course, the classic version will always be available for people who want the complete, ritualistic sideshow experience.

Folks who want to guarantee the one-on-one experience should move fast, though. Those tickets are already half gone."

Tarot V runs May 9-26, 2019 at the Anacostia Arts Center. Tickets $7-$21, and a sacrifice. Website: www.thetarotreading.org