Divination

See it if You want to see a play about divination, holistic healing, tarot, etc. Like to support female artists.

Don't see it if You are looking for a fully developed and realized play. Dislike shows that dabble in a number of directorial styles.

Also "I believe that this universe is not a stupid universe." -Tara Cornfeld

Divination is a play in need. In need of so many things. Most importantly, a re-write.

It is in need of a sound designer, of which there is none credited on the playbill. The scene transition music cuts off or fades out jarringly rather than the scene changes being choreographed.

It is in need of a lighting designer. It's hard to do any convincing conjuring without any lighting design. And I'm not talking about anything fancy, just more than what was provided. Again, no lighting designer credited.

The performances, for the most part, were effective. Meredith Rust, as Scottish-American Psychic Geri, is delightful. As is Abigail Choi Arader, as Badriyah, who gives the most grounded performance given the material.

Unfortuantely Yating Sun, as our protagonist Tara, does not give a performance effective enough to be the engine of this piece.

Divination is one of the most confounding plays I've yet to see.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy figuring out what a show’s purpose is.

Don't see it if You enjoy crisp, well-written, meaningful plays. This play has none of these elements.

Also I felt that this long play was Six Actresses in Search of a Play. Sadly slow and disjointed and disappointing in writing and in direction.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to watch great performances. The writing was effective and clever. Palumbo clearly knows how to reach an audience with words.

Don't see it if you aren’t interested in sitting in a black box theater with mold and creaky seats. You know what you’re getting into.

Also The actresses did the best they could. They committed well. There was definitely some missed opportunity on the direction side. It was quite frankly, awkward. And the overall purpose of the show wasn’t coming across. Usually plays do too much, but this one didn’t do enough. You wouldn’t know about this show if you didn’t have a connection. The theater was depressingly empty. I followed Arader after Comfort Women. It was interesting to see her in a different setting.... Read more Read less

See it if See this show if you want to see some amazing women run the world they live in. All female cast, and female playwright doing their thang!

Don't see it if Don't see it if you're looking for a regular run of the mill play.