ONE of Jamaica’s leading comediennes, Elva Ruddock, will be the lone female on a bill of comedic superstars who will take the stage at the fourth staging of the JA/USA Comedy Connection, and Elva is ready to keep the boys in line.

To be held on Sunday, April 4 at the Backyard Entertainment Complex on Constant Spring Road in Kingston, organisers of the JA/USA Comedy Connection are dubbing this event ‘Comedy Dons Edition,’ as it features the “some of the ‘baddest’ comedians in the business”.

Elva will rock the stage and provide her famed style of comedy not only as an act, but also as emcee in charge of the night’s proceedings, and she’s excited about it. She’s no stranger to being in the limelight either, as Elva hosted karaoke shows across the islands and emceed events while in high school. It was in Washington DC, at the Caribbean Comedy Festival 2K5, where she saw her debut as a comedienne and she hasn’t looked back since. It’s also true that Elva is yet to have a crowd not like her, and her brand of comedy is “different”.

“I can’t tell jokes to save my life. I talk about my life’s trials and personal experiences and for some sadistic reason, people find it funny. Growing up the way I did, mi nuh have no shame tree,” she says.

The organisers of JA/USA Comedy Connection, Pro Starz Dot Com Entertainment, are counting on Elva’s style to add to the anticipated high-energy, laughter-included event. In fact the event’s co-ordinator Novar Excell said that they are counting on Elva to give the show balance.

“Our line-up is star-studded, no doubt about that. We have BET A-List comedian Shang and local comedians like Ity and Fancy Cat, Rohan Gunter, Emporer, and Leighton Smith. And in addition to that, we have another international comedian from Canada, who we are keeping as a surprise. But Elva is the lone female act on the show, and trust me, I know she’ll keep Backyard entertained,” Excell said.