By Jill Colvin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MIDTOWN — A Times Square comedy club received a last-minute reprieve from Community Board 5 to make amends with local church staff and residents before voting on whether to grant it a dancing license.
The Reverend of the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin and other neighborhood residents were trying to block the Ha! Comedy Club from getting a "cabaret license" that would permit dancing as well as stand-up routines.
Teddy Gonzalez, who represents HA! operator Comedy Club of NYC, said the owners were unaware of any opposition to their license. They were first alerted by DNAinfo that their case was up for a vote by the board's Public Safety Committee Wednesday night.
Gonzalez asked the committee Wednesday to postpone the hearing until next month to give owners time to reach out to residents and try to allay concerns.
Community members fear that the comedy club at 163 W. 46th Street would turn the space into a nightclub if it gets the cabaret license.
"We’ve had it. We’re fed up and we’re frustrated," said Kathleen Cromwell, a member of the 46th Street Block Association, who complained the stretch is under siege by an "extreme proliferation of liquor licenses" that is severely impacting quality of life.
Gonzalez said the club, which already has a license to serve alcohol, has no intention of turning the space into a dance cave, and instead wants permission to stage off-Broadway shows where audience members are allowed to get up and dance in the aisles.
He's hopeful once the community members hear his plans, critics will change their minds.
"We’re hoping we get support from the community and its members," Gonzalez said.
The vote by the Community Boards Public Safety Committee has been rescheduled for next month's meeting.
