‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Prom,” a night of comedy to benefit High School North’s post prom party, will be held at North on Saturday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m. The show is produced by HA Comedy Productions, owned by Helene Angley (pictured) of West Windsor. “Post Prom is run by adults who want to create a safe and fun, entertaining evening for our kids,” says Angley. “This show and comic line-up is designed around connecting with the parents in the audience, as it takes a village of parents and their support to bring Post Prom to reality.” Comics include Angley, Marc Kaye, Joan Weisblatt, and Chris Monty. Tickets are $20.
Post Prom, a free event for seniors from North, will be held at the school. “There is a secret theme to the evening, but the entire evening is geared with games and prizes for all attending,” says Angley. Although it is held after the prom, attendance at the prom is not mandatory. Post prom costs more than $35,000, and fundraising is important to meet that goal. “I am doing my best to help by offering hilarious comics that are helping out for a great cause,” says Angley.
Angley got her start in comedy several years ago, when she saw an advertisement for comedy classes on the bulletin board at the old Acme Market. She thought, “why not?” and took two semesters’ worth before auditioning for “Last Comic Standing.” During the callback (she did not make the cut) she was offered a spot in an eight-week training program on how to better yourself as a comic. “It was a wonderful opportunity, as they only take 12 comics a year,” she says. Four of them “survived” and still perform, often together.
She performed at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City for three years. “It was a big strain on the family, and the kids learned to make their own dinner,” she says. “With the economic change I looked to see what was local just as Grover’s Mill Coffee House opened. They have been so wonderful and supportive.”
January 17 marked Angley’s five-year anniversary presenting comedy at Grover’s Mill Coffee House. There is no cover charge, and Angley brings comics in from New York City and beyond. You may also see one of your neighbors performing, sometimes using a stage name. The next two comedy nights at the coffee house are on Friday, February 21, with headliner Tommy Gooch; and Friday, March 21.
Angley was raised in California and graduated from Long Beach State University with a degree in chemistry. She moved to New York City, where she received a master’s degree in forensic science from John Jay College and met her husband, Tom, when she was working in the forensic department with the New York City Police Department. She has since moved on to the service and support side of pharmaceuticals with the Waters Corporation based in Milford, Massachusetts.
Tom works for Zurich Insurance Company. “My husband continues to be a great support, manager, sounding board — and an endless source of material after being married for 24 years,” she says. “Although my family is one source of material, I tend to observe life in general — and try not to make my husband the end of every joke.”
Their son, Ryan, graduated from North in June and is at the University of Delaware. “He has real comic talent,” says Angley. “He shares punch lines with me that I end up adding in my routines.”
Their daughter, Dana, is a junior at North and working at the new PJ’s Pancake House in West Windsor. “She is known to make us all laugh when we least expect it,” says Angley. “The Post Prom fundraiser is a great opportunity to be part of her high school years.”
“I have kept my day job because I enjoy it and because there is not a lot of money in comedy. Soon with two kids in college it simply isn’t possible to travel with comedy and help pay for college — or retirement,” says Angley. “So my life will continue with juggling both for a few more years — and I am enjoying the ride.”
The past few years have been very good. “I always try to do one more important gig this year than last and so far I have been able to add a TV credit by filming a comedy TV special for Spike TV last summer.” She also headlined at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and hosts several comedy nights a year at Rat’s Restaurant at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton.
“Keeping my Grover’s Mill comedy show has been a great achievement as well — the fans have made it all possible by having standing room only at my monthly shows,” says Angley. “What a thrill to bring something so fun to my own home town. And I haven’t met a comic yet that just doesn’t love playing that room and doing that show.” Her 2014 comedy goals include creating a six-minute clean set — one without “mature” content — required to audition for late night TV. “My second goal is to continue with my monthly Grover’s Mill comedy show — eventually hitting a 10 year anniversary,” she says.
We asked Angley to share a printable joke with us.
“I love watching all these TV commercials that talk about new drugs to help us feel better. The first 20 seconds is all the benefits of the drug — where the next 40 seconds talk about all the nasty stuff that will happen to you if you take the drug — agitation, blurred vision, emotional stuff, and rash. Wait a minute, I got that from watching the Giants play this year — I don’t need a drug that gives me that too.”
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Prom, High School North, 90 Grovers Mill Road, Plainsboro. Saturday, February 8, 7:30 p.m. HA Comedy Productions presents a night of comedy to benefit this year’s post prom event. Featured comedians include Marc Kaye and John Weisblatt with headliner Chris Monty. Hosted by Helene Angley of West Windsor. $20. Coffee and dessert may be purchased. Must be 18 or older. 609-716-5100. www.wwpn-postprom.org.
Comedy Night, HA Comedy Productions, Grovers Mill Coffee House, 335 Princeton Hightstown Road, West Windsor. Fridays, February 21 and March 21, 8 p.m. Helene Angley of West Windsor hosts. 609-716-8771. www.heleneangley.com.
Comedy Night, HA Comedy Productions, Rat’s Restaurant, 126 Sculptor’s Way, Hamilton. Friday, March 7, 8:30 p.m. Helene Angley of West Windsor hosts her line-up of seasoned comics. 21 plus. Register. $25 to $30 includes a food discount. 609-584-7800. www.heleneangley.com.
