A Raw and Revelatory Performance: Diving into “anyyywayyy whatever“
Barnett Cohen‘s anyyywayyy whatever isn’t easily categorized - and that’s precisely its strength. This groundbreaking work, currently showing in Brooklyn, is a potent blend of movement, text, and design that resonates with the anxieties and absurdities of contemporary life. It’s a piece that stays with you long after the lights come up, prompting reflection and a strange sense of shared experience.
A Unique Approach to Performance
Cohen’s vision isn’t about delivering a neat narrative. Instead, anyyywayyy whatever presents a series of fragmented moments, often humorous and unsettling, that capture the feeling of existing in a hyper-connected, yet deeply isolating world. You’ll find yourself recognizing echoes of your own internal monologue and awkward social interactions within the performance.
Consider a seemingly simple line like ”my roommate will be back soon so.” It’s a phrase many of us understand – the artful dodge of asking someone to leave without directly saying so. Originally delivered with a certain performative swagger, Cohen reframed it, tasking performer Butin with embodying a fierce runway model while making direct eye contact with the audience. This shift elevates the moment, imbuing it with a captivating intensity.
the performance frequently juxtaposes contrasting elements. A “ballet-adjacent phrase” is disrupted by sudden, unexpected physical violence, like a punch to the stomach. This isn’t gratuitous; it’s a deliberate layering of elegance and aggression that underscores the piece’s central themes.
Design as a Defining element
The impact of anyyywayyy whatever extends beyond the choreography and text. The cast’s clothing, designed by Melitta Baumeister, is elevated streetwear that feels both current and subtly subversive. Bessie-nominated Sarai Frazier’s lighting design draws inspiration from the energy of raves and queer nightlife, creating an immersive and dynamic atmosphere.
These design choices aren’t merely aesthetic enhancements. They actively contribute to the overall emotional and intellectual experience, amplifying the performance’s raw energy rather then polishing it away.
What Does It All Meen?
anyyywayyy whatever resists easy interpretation. It’s poignant, political, funny, sexy, and intellectually stimulating – frequently enough all at once. It serves as a wake-up call to a culture often characterized by apathy, while simultaneously offering a comforting reminder that you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed.
Ultimately, Cohen’s work suggests that we’re all navigating this messy, intricate world together, for better or worse. It’s a powerful statement about the human condition in the 21st century.
Don’t Miss It
Barnett Cohen’s anyyywayyy whatever is showing at 306 Maujer Street, Brooklyn, on Friday, September 26 at 7:00 pm, and Saturday, September 27 at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. This is a performance that demands your attention and promises a truly unforgettable experience.