Kate Berlant: “Cinnamon in the Wind”
Kate Berlant is in Control of her Comedic Chaos
BY PETER NOMELAND
About 5 minutes into Kate Berlant's new Hulu comedy special "Cinnamon in the Wind," an audience member arrives late. Like many comedians will do in this situation, Berlant calls the person out, which gets a laugh out of the small but packed audience. But then the comedian expands, creating an entire fake scenario around a fake high school tournament, making the late audience member a character in the story. "Two weeks until regionals? We're screwed!" she exclaims.
The special is filled with these fake background scenarios, with Berlant mentioning her husband (she is single), her eight sons (she doesn't have any), and how she and her family "grew up without wheat" (juries out on that one). In an age where so many comedy specials seem to revolve around a comedian's personal journey, a subverting and absurdist comedian like Berlant feels like a breath of fresh air.
Berlant acts with constant movement, reminiscent of a classic Robin Williams routine. Her background is in improv, and the show feels like its bits are improvised, but in many interviews, the comic has stated that it is mostly not. Yet throughout all the chaos, you never feel that Berlant is not in full control of the stag.
Directed in black-and-white by fellow comedian Bo Burnham, who also directed Jerrod Carmichael's brilliant "Rothaniel" earlier this year, the special utilizes the small space that Berlant struts around in, as well as a mirror that reflects her and the audience. A follow-up one-woman show, also directed by Burnham, is currently running on Broadway and is expected to be released as a special.
Unsurprisingly after watching the full hour, the title "Cinnamon in the Wind" is never referenced.