Show

How to Be Cool

Neil Bhandari

Ticket Type

Clear

Booking details

Venue and Show Times:

Black Box

Click on the venue name above for information on parking and amenities.

July 18, 2025 at 10:00 p.m.
July 19, 2025 at 04:00 p.m.
July 19, 2025 at 08:30 p.m.
July 20, 2025 at 02:30 p.m.
July 20, 2025 at 07:00 p.m.

Show Description

How to Be Cool is a solo show, written and performed by Neo-Futurist Ensemble Member Neil Bhandari

Bouncing and shape-shifting from monologue and dance to live music and cultural anthropology, exploring themes of insecurity, idolization, identity-making and self-mythologizing- all in the impossible pursuit of COOL under the artificially-muscled arm and flimsy-yet-ever-imposing specter of American masculinity.

Directed by Anna Gelman
Technical Design by Amelia Osborn

Content Warning: flashing lights, discussion of pornography and sexuality, discussion of alcohol abuse

Cast and Crew

Director – Anna Gelman; Technical Designer – Amelia Osborn

Artist & Show Details:

https://neofuturists.org/events/how-to-be-cool/

https://www.instagram.com/neil_prefers_glitter/ https://bsky.app/profile/alorakid.bsky.social

Chicago, IL

Adult Language, Sexual Content, Smoke, Haze or Fog, Strobe Lights,

MA – Mature Audiences

Amplified Voices, Comedy, Drama, Original Work, Physical Theatre, Theatre

Past Fringe Shows

this is my first time!

Awards, Quotes and Reviews

“The evening is a funny, unexpected, melancholy and thoughtful treatise” – Chicago Theater Review

https://www.chicagotheatrereview.com/2025/02/the-neo-futurist-theater-can-tell-you-how-to-be-cool/

“Bhandari’s show offers a sometimes very poignant look at how the desire to be “cool” can color and distort one’s life from a young age” – Chicago Reader

https://chicagoreader.com/performing-arts/theater/theater-review/how-to-be-cool-neo-futurists-neil-bhandari/

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