Newton Resident To Host Backyard Comedy Night

NEWTON, MA— When the pandemic hit, the live arts industry was among those seriously affected. But you can't keep the arts down for long: As the cultural void began to be felt, artists figured out ways to entertain online in lieu of in-person. Still, four months later, even as many get used to watching online and the need to continue to keep the coronavirus from spreading is real, some can't help but feel a serious part of culture is missing.

Enter: Newton resident Candy Koscow Gold, a TONY Award winning producer with an idea on how to bring back in-person events —safely. Although throughout the pandemic there have been efforts to feature local artists online, or even from cars, this may be the first effort to produce a local in-person show.

Few will argue that there's something unique about the experience of watching and reacting to theater and art as a collective. Laughing at home at a punch line in a movie is one thing, but laughing in a theater and hearing others laugh along with you can have a palpable impact.

Producers across the country have been trying to figure out ways to safely bring the performing arts back to live audiences. Gold said the way forward is one backyard at a time.

"Zoom shows are great," she said. "Drive In movies are fun," But what about figuring out ways to have people congregate in person?"

In an effort to "try something," Gold is producing a small, physically distanced, mask-wearing stand up comedy show in her own backyard.

She's invited local comedians Tooky Kavanagh, Emily Ruskowski and Mike Dorval to do short sets, and expects the show to last an hour.

Officials have told her that because it's on private property, she's not charging a ticket fee and is just inviting friends and guests, there's no need for a permit.

She said there won't be food or drink or access to a bathroom and the sanitized chairs will be spaced 6-feet apart.

"I have been referring to this as a 'first step,'" she told Patch in an email. "If people like it and feel comfortable with this format, maybe we can figure out a way to bring more live shows to audiences from safe and secure spaces around town."

Depending on how it goes, there may be more to come.

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