Comedian Ricardo Aleman was first on the stage at Joker's Wild on February 7th. Photo: Robbin Whachell

Grand Bahama Island - With the world economy in a tailspin, where the only news is bad news, the “New York City Comedy Club Show” hosted by the Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society on February 7 at Joker’s Wild, was just what the doctor ordered – laughter, laughter, and more laughter…

The second ever event of the newly formed Society outstripped all expectations! The “laugh ‘til you cry” routines of the three accomplished comedians in the surprisingly intimate, NYC style club, Joker’s Wild, played to a packed house, with Grand Bahamas’ own, Trevor Russell, as a most gracious Master of Ceremonies.

Mexican-American Ricardo Aleman kicked off the evening. His smile alone could have won over the audience, but it was his labor saving tips in the fine art of spraying Febreeze that had them rolling in the aisles. The startled looks of recognition on the faces of the younger contingent in the audience (many from Ross University) were quickly followed by gales of laughter. Hard to say who laughed louder - the “youngsters”, or the many horrified parents in audience, who had only ever used it to eliminate animal odors.

International comedian Andy Pitz on stage at Joker's Wild as part of the NYC Comedy Club visit February 7th. Photo: Robbin Whachell.

Next up was Andy Pitz, who has been playing the US comedy club circuit for many years, including The Comic Strip Live (voted by AOL’s New York City Guide as the “Best Comedy Club”). Grand Bahama was privileged to have Pitz fit us into his busy schedule, having just recently returned from a two-week engagement in China. Pitz’s humor resonated, as he mischievously described a universal theme, a husband’s antics to escape the house rules imposed by his anal-retentive wife.

Comedian Kyle Grooms from New Jersey wrapped up the night on stage at Joker's Wild on February 7th. Photo: Robbin Whachell

New Jersey-born, former TV backroom boy, Kyle Grooms, also a veteran stand-up comic, has had his own special on the Comedy Central channel, and appeared on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam. With his slim, handsome good looks, bordering on serious, Grooms’ hilarious impression of Barack Obama was so realistic, “the Man” himself could have been standing in the room. The audience howled with laughter!

While each comic brought his own brand of humor, together they added up to 2 hours of non-stop hilarity, likely to bring a lasting smile to those who attended.

The Grand Bahama Society for the Performing Arts was most grateful to all of those who donated their time and talent, including the comedians, Ricardo Aleman, Andy Pitz and Kyle Grooms, the MC, Trevor Russell, as well as to the many sponsors, the major ones being American Airlines, Pelican Bay, Joker’s Wild and Mackey Media.

Kim Knowles and Gloria McGlone greeted visitors at the entrance to Joker's Wild. Photo: Robbin Whachell

Trevor Russell was MC for the evening. Photo: Robbin Whachell

The comedians with Dalia Feldman, founder of the GB Society for the Performing Arts. The visiting comedians donated their time to travel and support this worthy cause. From left to right: Kyle Grooms, Dalia Feldman, Ricardo Aleman, and Andy Pitz. Photo: Robbin Whachell

Dalia Feldman, President of the Society was thrilled with the support received, and hopeful:

“We earned over $3,000. This money will be put towards our fund to benefit performing arts students in Grand Bahama.

Nearly all of our expenses were covered by donations from sponsors, and we hope to achieve the same for our next concert - a piano and flute concert, and master class at the end of April.

Besides sponsors’ donations, membership fees will help defray the expense of our events.

If we succeed, all of the proceeds will be used to benefit performing arts students in Grand Bahama, a cause which we believe is important, in good times and in bad.”

SLIDESHOW: A packed house at Joker's Wild for the NYC Comedy Club on February 7th. An appreciative audience and supporters of the arts give a rousing round of applause and standing ovation to the visiting comedians. Photos: Robbin Whachell

Kyle Grooms and Ricardo Aleman before the show. Photo: Robbin Whachell

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