He hasn’t had the last laugh!
Williamsburg comedy club the Experiment Comedy Gallery has closed its doors after the what the owner says was a falling out with the tenants upstairs — but the proprietor promises it will return in a new location soon.
“It’s super unfortunate that we had to close,” said Mo Fathelbab. “But it’s only temporary, we will be back!”
The venue was only in the space at Broadway between Kent and Wythe avenues fox six months, but quickly made a name for itself by championing women and comics of color, and for its tongue-in-cheek “Donald Trump Special,” in which Fathelbab offers free entry to fellow Muslims who can prove their faith by reciting the opening of the Koran.
But, he claims, the condo board that runs the building was not so amused by the noise and publicity the venue brought to address, and terminated his lease last month.
“It was noise,” said Fathelbab. “They didn’t like that eyes were on us.”
The comedian says he is already in talks with other spaces in Williamsburg and Bushwick, where he hopes to up and running again by May, staging even more politically charged shows and rattling more comedic cages.
“We will be bold in terms of our shows,” said Fathelbab, “We can really start pushing the limits now.”
One of Fathelbab’s frequent collaborators has launched an online crowdfunding campaign to help pay for the Experiment’s relocation — raising $1,840 as of press time — and the jokester says he is blown away by the outpouring of support.
“I am floored by what they have expressed,” he said.
