A small audience of 35 people laughed heartily last Saturday, May 30, as the Boca Black Box Center For The Arts in Boca Raton became one of the first venues in South Florida to offer a live show during the pandemic.
"We followed the guidelines that permitted us to open in Palm Beach County and wanted to offer our regular patrons the opportunity to see live comedy in a safe environment," said Randy Singer, co-owner of Boca Black Box.
Al Romero (who opened the show for 30 minutes) and Greg Hahn (the headliner, who performed for 50 minutes) were excited to perform live stand-up comedy for the first time in nine weeks.
"Performing live comedy is all about the ability to think quickly on your feet and to make the audience relaxed to laugh," said Romero.
"I know the audience is eager and I entertain with a fast paced show that is guaranteed to make everyone laugh," said Hahn, a native of Boca Raton who now lives in Los Angeles.
Upon entering the venue, Singer and his staff wore masks to greet the audience and escorted patrons to their assigned seats, scattered over the 295 seat venue, to ensure that all patrons were seated at least six feet apart. Most of the patrons came in pairs, and two parties of three people were seated in tables on the side of the stage.
The audience entered Boca Black Box wearing masks and, because Boca Black Box allows the audience to eat and drink at their seats, most of the audiences removed their masks for the performance once the food arrived.
Both Hahn and Romero offered unique jokes concerning the pandemic to open their performances.
"Prior to the pandemic, a person would sneeze and another person would say ‘bless you’. Now, a person sneezes and the other person would say "bless you, but why don’t you put on a mask, you fool," said Romero.
Hahn, known for his rapid fire delivery of jokes told in 30 seconds or less, began his performance running around the stage, clapping his hands saying:
"Let us party. Keep clapping. We’re happy to be together now. I came to Boca Raton hoping to stay in a house overlooking a lake, but the house was not available. Instead, I am now staying in a condo with a leak," said Hahn.
Romero, who is a Cuban-American living in Miami, shared on stage funny anecdotes about growing up in Miami as both a Cuban and a senior.
"Being an immigrant myself, I tell new immigrants to adapt to life in the United States. You have to fit into America, so learn to speak Spanish".
"Like many seniors, I know the problems of erectile dysfunction. I was told by a friend that when I take a pill and have an erection for more than four hours, I should call a doctor. I told my friend that if I had an erection for that long, I would call a hooker," said Romero.
Hahn brought out laughs with his many jokes about women he dated.
"I dated a girl from a small town who liked clogging. She can clog every toilet that she goes to."
"I wanted to date a girl who I thought was right for me even though she was younger. She said ‘You’re old enough to be my father.’ I said ‘You’re old enough to be my third wife.' "
"I met a girl I liked at a buffet. When I asked her out, she told me ‘No thanks. My plates are full." (Hahn will probably have to shelve this joke soon. COVID-19 has pretty much wiped out the idea of buffets.)
Following the show, Boca Black Box patron Lisa Meehan of Delray Beach expressed her delight to see Hahn and Romero in a live performance.
"I was so happy to be out after being isolated in my home for so long. Both comedians were first rate and, seeing comedy was important as humor is a welcome distraction from the pandemic. I also was happy because I felt I was in a safe environment as the staff was careful not to have hundreds of people at the show," said Meehan.
In case you were wondering, neither comedian wore a mask. The stage was set up to be at least a foot above the seating area and the seating area was at least eight feet in front of the stage.
Boca Black Box Center For The Arts, 8221 Glades Road in Boca Raton is now open primarily for live comedy and music events.
- Over the next two weeks, Hot Leggs performs a musical tribute to Tina Turner (June 5, 8 p.m.);
- Comedian Fred Rubino headlines two shows on June 6 at 7 and 9 p.m;
- Psychic Jeffrey Wands performs June 7 at 2 p.m. and comedian Sarge performs two shows on June 10 and June 11 at 8 p.m.
Ticket prices vary for all the shows. For more information and tickets, go to www.bocablackbox.com or call 561-483-9036.