Union Comedy Out At Somerville's Bow Market

SOMERVILLE, MA – Bow Market developers will not go through with plans to build Union Comedy at its 30-vendor complex, opting instead to work with a more "well-known institution," according to the group behind the comedy theater. In a letter, the six area comedians who organized Union Comedy hinted at feeling blindsided by the decision.

"This abrupt change came despite receiving assurances and agreeing upon terms," Ben Gibb, Ben Walsh, Andrew Barlow, Pat Kearnan, Sara Teague and Ben Scurria wrote. "Needless to say we're upset that things were handled in a dishonest manner. Nevertheless we remain optimistic about the future of Union Comedy."

In an email, Bow Market developers Matt Boyes-Watson and Zach Baum said an agreement between the two parties was never signed and they believe they operated in good faith in talks about the space.

"Union Comedy aligns perfectly with our ethos of supporting new vendors pursuing unique concepts," Boyes-Watson and Baum wrote. "However, in the case of the theatre and brewery, the market’s two marquee spaces, we have to consider their ability to support and drive traffic to the market as a whole. To a large extent, our smaller vendors rely on their draw."

"Since we met them, Ben [Gibb] and Ben [Scurria] have been fantastic, and we wish them nothing but success," they added.

The theater would have focused on long-form improv popular in New York and Los Angeles, versus the Chicago-style improv preferred in several Boston area comedy clubs, Gibb, a Somerville resident, told Scout Somerville when plans for Union Comedy were announced.

News of the theater's cancellation was first reported by Scout, as well.

More than two dozen new businesses are planned for Bow Market, which can hold 32 vendors, most of which will be signed to short-term leases. In addition to the revolving door of retail options, a new brewery has been confirmed, and the space is expected to house "one or two" brick-and-mortar businesses.

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