Page 9 - ahata

A8
Monday 21 deceMber 2020

Coping with comedy during COVID-19:

How comedian Ray Ellin (AKA ‘Aruba Ray’) used laughs with

‘Comedy Cloud’ to lift people up and raise money for charity

By Pablo Edwards short commute from their Sometimes very famous
PALM BEACH — Comedian bed to their computer,” artists would stop by. On
Aruba Ray Ellin has hosted laughed Ellin. one show, Ellin had “Every-
and appeared on many body Loves Raymond” star
television shows, acted in Ray also took his Aruba Ray Romano as a guest,
films, and – thankfully for Ray’s show that he did in who told stories and jokes
Aruba – set up Aruba Ray’s Aruba, and started doing and answered questions
Comedy here on the is- it on Zoom on Friday nights for over an hour. Another
land in April of 2013, bring- for fans of the One Happy time, pop star Taylor Dayne
ing A-List talent to perform Island. And he gave pro- stopped by and sang her
in standup comedy shows ceeds from the ticket sales smash hit “Love Will Lead
that he hosts. It is truly top to Happy to Give Back, You Back.” And Paul Shaf-
caliber entertainment, and the organization that pro- fer, who spent thirty-plus
resumed last week in a safe vides meals for Arubans in years on the David Letter-
environment. (www.aruba- webcam and tell jokes. He need. “I know how much man Show, appeared on And how was it returning to
comedy.com) started a business called the island was hurting. They Ellin’s show and played pia- the live stage, after months
Comedy Cloud (www. need tourism to survive, no and sang for a stunned of performing on Zoom?
But it wasn’t until the pan- comedycloud.co), doing and it wasn’t happening. crowd.
demic happened that Ellin interactive comedy shows So when I learned about “I was beyond thrilled,” said
truly felt the healing power on Zoom for companies Happy to Give Back, I did Now that Ellin has returned Ellin. “At every live show we
of comedy. who had employees stuck what I could.” to Aruba – Aruba Ray’s have done in Aruba since
at home. Comedy opened up on December 1st – I haven’t
“After NYC went into lock- Week after week, month December 1st, in the Holi- experienced a level of ex-
down in March, I thought Since late April, he has pro- after month, people from day Inn Ballroom, in a very citement quite like this ever
it would just be a couple duced over one hundred all over the globe – USA, large space with socially before. The audience is SO
of weeks, and then hoped of these shows for finance France, Holland, Brazil, Aru- distanced tables, and HAPPY to watch a show in
everything would pick up companies, law firms, tech ba - would purchase tickets masks and sanitizer – he put person. I am SO HAPPY to
where we left off,” said El- companies, shipping com- to watch Ray and his friends the Friday online shows on be able to perform in front
lin. “So I re-binged Game panies, even a pet store. on Friday nights. Some were hold. of an in-person audience.
of Thrones and Little House “Every person watching single, some married, and The first show, wow was I
on the Prairie – I know, was holding a different ani- some watched as a family. “I wish I could do both, but rusty, it had been almost
my tastes cover a lot of mal,” said Ellin. “It was ac- the timing of it just doesn’t nine months since doing a
ground - and ordering end- tually really fun. And only There was one couple, the work. But the unbelievably full show live. But everyone
less amounts of food deliv- the monkey and a hamster Miltons, who watched ev- kind emails and notes that was so enthusiastic – two
ery. But then I realized this had accidents on cam- ery week side by side on I got, from so many people guys – and this is complete-
wasn’t going to end any era,” he joked. recliners. who watched those shows ly true – two guys each
time soon, and after talking for months, felt amazing. I tipped us $100 each after
to so many friends bored at These online shows boost “Friday nights were our re- know what a hard time this the show. I’ve never been
home, I started doing com- employee morale, connect turn to normalcy. We al- has been for everyone. I tipped doing standup in
edy shows online.” staff that have been work- ways loved watching Ray’s know how hard healthcare my life! But the guy insisted.
ing remotely, and provide shows live in Aruba; if we workers have had it. I’ve He blew me away when
Ellin didn’t just turn on a a much needed release, can’t get to Aruba to see lost family and friends dur- he said ‘Please, take this.
rewarding employees. It them, it was a real treat to ing the last eight months. Please. You finally made us
also gave comedians who watch every week online,” But you have to keep mov- feel normal again.’”
had nowhere to perform said Gladys Milton. “It was ing forward, and do your
an outlet, and a source of something to look forward best, and just try to laugh Aruba Ray’s Comedy is
income. to.” and enjoy yourself as much scheduled for shows in
as possible.” Aruba until April 1st. Check
“Not every comedian likes “I live alone. I haven’t had www.arubacomedy.com
performing on Zoom. It’s any social life since March. The other thing Ellin did to purchase tickets, and to
different, it can be tough, Ray’s Friday shows were during lockdown - we dis- look at the amazing lineups
it’s not for everybody,” ex- something to look for- covered online - was set of comedians, from every
plained Ellin. “But I found ward to, to laugh and feel up a fund for out-of-work major television program.
some terrific comedians good,” said Sandy Palmer, performers in need. He did There is also an optional
who have excelled at it. who lives in Miami. “I en- so quietly, without any fan- pre-show three-course din-
It can be A LOT of fun, for joyed seeing familiar faces fare, raising over $40,000, ner for only $35, including
both the audience and in the crowd, and some with generous contributions tax and gratuity, at Sea-
performers. It is really inter- new ones. Ray’s Zoom from celebrity comedians breeze restaurant. Also
active - everyone watch- shows have easily been the including Louis CK and available on the website.
ing has a front row seat. highlight of my year.” Judd Apatow. All safety protocols are fol-
And comedians have a lowed. q