Hadley’s Happier Valley Comedy adds Next Door LoungeDate: 10/20/2021 HADLEY – In a time when it can be difficult to navigate through the seemingly constant gloominess of everyday life amid the pandemic, Happier Valley Comedy (HVC) in Hadley is trying to uplift the community doing what they know best.
The group has announced an expansion of show locations as the Next Door Lounge, formally known as the Taproom on Route 9, joins the HVC venue family, located literally right next door to where the group has always performed. The move hopes to provide more connection, community and happiness to the people of Hadley and in the valley, through comedy and gives the group an opportunity to explore venue expansion.
“Fostering community is a foundational element of our mission, and we hope that expanding the theater helps us more deeply live true to our values,” said Pam Victor, president and founder of HVC.
The first show will take place on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater on 1 Mill Valley Rd. The improv show will feature a combination of experienced HVC performers from different casts to create a one-night-only improvised show. Every dollar from this show will benefit a local nonprofit chosen by the HVC community. The new move begins a new run of comedy classes and shows open to the public.
“Thanks to the support and generosity of our landlord and some well-timed grants, we’re able to spend the next 20 months giving it our all to make this enlargement a success,” said Victor. “If all goes well, we’ll have more experience and knowledge to mindfully plan a full design and reconceptualization of the space.”
“The Experiment Next Door,” a nickname given to the business endeavor by those involved, will be a trial to see if the expansion to the new space is financially and logistically viable for the small arts nonprofit.
“The space was available and was right next door to us,” said Scott Braidman, general manager and artistic director for HVC. “It helps us deal with noisy neighbors, which was sometimes an issue in the past with quieter shows.
The new venue will feature a box office and community space before and after shows. Available at the shows are different rooms for connection and “merry-making” as HVC as referred to it. There will be a “Game Room” with board and card games, a “Living Room” with seating in conversational circles and a more private, introvert-friendly gathering space in the back called “The Nook.” These options are consistent with HVC’s mission of bringing together the community through the arts.
“It’s been lifechanging for a lot of people, myself included. I started when I was 17 and have been doing it since,” said Braidman on how joining the group has impacted him. “It formed who I am and my confidence level when I perform. I learned to ignore that voice of judgment we all have and push forward.”
Next week, Happier Valley Comedy opens registration for seven weekly improv comedy classes in their original space as well as two standup-storytelling classes to be held in the Next Door Lounge to improve the atmosphere of doing prepared stand-up comedy. This continues HVC’s comedy classes that have been a big part of the group since the beginning.
“We’re going for an inviting home-away-from-home feeling,” said Victor. “After so long isolated from each other, our Next Door Lounge brings people together again in laughter, joy and ease. We’re looking to make the Happy Valley happier.”
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