Kids 'N Comedy February 13, 2011

Kids 'N Comedy, New York's leading presenter of young comic talent, will present six installments of its revolving comedy showcase this Spring at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 West 23rd Street in Chelsea. Each show will be a turntable of talented teens and 'tweens who are probably the cream of young comics in the tri-state area. Shows will be six Sundays--February 13 & 27, March 13 & 27, April 10 and May 15--all at 1:00 PM. (See below for complete listings.)

The organization, led by Jo Ann Grossman and her husband, Stu Morden, is now fifteen years old (the median age of its comedians). It occupies a precious niche in the New York comedy scene, as a producer for youngsters who can't hone their craft in drinking establishments but whose writing and talents usually rival that of their elder brethren. It's also a training organization, offering workshops and summer camps in comedy for tomorrow's Seinfelds, whose performance venues might otherwise be limited to the back of the classroom.

Each program will present a selection of six or seven stand-up comedians, ages twelve to twenty, from Kids 'N Comedy's troupe of 15 young artists, plus a few new faces. Each performer has written his/her own routine and performs before an audience of kids and adults (grownups are essential, if only because they drive their kids to the shows). In 1996, the organization started out at The Knitting Factory as a place for kids to "take a chance on comedy." The organization's training approach has matured while continuing to maintain a safe, supportive atmosphere. Its training program now produces a brand of young comedian with an unmistakeable ease, technique and professionalism. Its shows remain clean--Cosby Show clean--but the performers are young artists, not amateurs. Unskilled talent takes stage only when the audience is given the opportunity to come onstage and tell a joke. Audience members who rise to this challenge are so young, game and charming that you wouldn't have it any other way. Master of Ceremonies is Australian-born comedian David Smithyman (Head Teacher & Producer).

These shows are a fantastic New York resource for entertainment by kids, for kids. Birthday parties, sweet 16 parties and the like are welcome and group rates are available. For general inquiries call 212-877-6115.