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 is used to performing in front of sellout crowds in comedy clubs across the United States. But you might have noticed we aren't gathering for live shows right now, so Lee and comedians 

 are taking to Zoom Friday for a virtual Acme Comedy Company show.

“When the idea of doing a virtual comedy show first came up, I was so sad at the loss of comedy in front of live crowds that I didn't want to do it,” Lee told MPR News host Tom Crann. “A friend of mine talked me into trying it and I actually really loved it. It felt so good to be around people again.”

For $10, audience members get a link to a Zoom session. When the show starts, they’re encouraged to turn on their computer and phone microphones so the performers and fellow audience members can hear laughter as if it were a normal comedy show.

Lee just asks that you watch and laugh in a quiet environment. 

“Last week and I got heckled by a parakeet over and over again,” he said. “This lady was really enjoying the show and she was laughing, but her parakeet [whistled] every time she laughed.”

Or, “maybe I was absolutely crushing with that bird,” Lee said.  

Lee said the Zoom shows are surprisingly cathartic.

I had about seven minutes of jokes just on the COVID-19 crisis and what it's like to be isolated, and I'm making these people cry,” Lee said. “I can see them cry laughing because they're relating to this stuff that I'm making fun out of. And that's what comedy is all about. You know, it's  basically trauma bonding.”

 is sold out. As of Thursday afternoon, tickets for the 

Use the audio player above to listen to Lee’s interview on All Things Considered.

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With COVID-19 preventing social gatherings, Acme Comedy Company is offering virtual shows via Zoom. 

Acme still offering laughs, quarantine-style

A man in a business suit is sitting on a couch.

Acme still offering laughs — quarantine-style

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