Review: John Early and Kate Berlant Are Pointed, Political and Gut-Busting Hilarious in 555 at Joe's Pub

"Millennial" as a descriptor is used with far too much frequency and carries with it connotations that are both unnecessary and inaccurate. However, at the first of a sold-out four-show run at Joe's Pub on January 31, John Early and Kate Berlant were undeniably of their generation.

That's not to say they comply with the Baby Boomer-bestowed definition of Millennialism as spoiled, entitled, unwilling to work hard. Theirs was more in keeping with the Millennial ideology of those who entered into the working world during the years of the recession, who have been "handed" far less than generations prior, and have always had the omnipresent awareness that opportunities were theirs to make- those who are, today more than ever, pissed off at the doings of the generation before them.

Early and Berlant were celebrating the release of their new Vimeo series "555," a season of 10-minute episodes, each of which they play different characters, endowed with their signature statures (his, the affected extrovert, and hers, the frazzled or dough-eyed ingenue you'd recognize from any underdeveloped rom-com, respectively).

Like so many performers since November 8, the inherent acknowledgment of the peril in our government dictated Berlant and Early's purview, with the latter's set in particular overtly calling attention to it. During a bit intended to take away the power of a certain new American president, Early renamed him Rebecca, "Becca" for short, and went onto describe his incredulity at the mere thought of those out there "who believe Becca's lies." As a matter of fact, it did undercut the fear he has instilled in so many, replacing it with laughter that bordered on wheezing.

Berlant relied more heavily on traditional improv, the highlight of which was her claiming to be psychic, and interacting with the audience demonstrating she was, in fact, very much not clairvoyant. On paper, that hardly sounds revelatory, but she and Early are so fresh and in touch with their comedic personas that watching them perform does feel both entirely new and authentic.

The evening was formatted so that the two could each have their own brief solo set, but the show was at its peak when the two were performing together. Currently in the midst of a promotional tour, of course some of their seemingly off-the-cuff banter actually was not. But the ease with which the duo is able to communicate, the lightning-quick pace at which they vamp, you feel concurrently like you're in on the joke and are also five paces behind it. But, again speaking to their performative warmth, whatever inadequacy an audience may feel in keeping up with them is quickly diminished as a result of their intentional inclusiveness.

In fact, when the duo first emerged onto the stage, they began with a call and response: Berlant tells the audience, "When I say 'He's,' you say 'Gay,'" and Early commands, "When I say 'She's,' you say 'Jewish.'" It was both loving and irreverent, and was able to dismantle any barriers the audience was upholding when they walked in, just like Early and Berlant themselves.

To post a comment, you must register and login.