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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:
this is my first time!
“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
Sara Richmond –
DO NOT MISS this show!!! I’m so glad I saw this one!! Excellent writing and performance
Sheila Rafter –
If I could give TEN stars I would. Just do yourself a favor and go – highly recommend
David –
This show is an excellent introspection into finding one’s natural identity in a world that sells artificial identities by the pound. Neil’s analysis of coolness is honest and relatable and made me reflect on the times where I pursued coolness in ways that weren’t ever authentic to myself. I definitely recommend this show, it’s absolutely worth seeing!