kids and comedy

You don't usually think of kids either doing stand-up comedy or going to shows at comedy clubs. You think it's all about having a few drinks, listening to a usually raunchy comedian and hoping you don't get picked on by some guy whose stand-up routine is both mean and funny.
But now there's a new twist to the comedy club with Comedy N'Kids where kids go to the Gotham Comedy Club in New York and hear stand-up comedian kids do their routines about trying to talk to girls, their maniacal Spanish teacher and their embarrassing mom.
I didn't get to go to the show but my mom took my two boys who seemed to love the experience. Had they known in advance, they could have come with their own jokes and hopped on stage to try them out. I'm pretty sure my younger son would have done this and my older son, who is more shy, would rather stick a needle in his eye.
Kids N' Comedy http://www.kidsncomedy.com/pages/classes.html at 208 West 23rd St. offers weekly workshops for kids and that's where the kids perfect their material and they even have their own comedy camp. Call 212-877-6115 for more information.
I like the idea of giving the class clown (which has sometimes been my younger kid) a place where he gets applause instead of being sent down to the principal. The routines are apparently very kid friendly with no sexual references or cursing allowed although plenty of smart ass humor encouraged.
The show costs $15 plus you have to buy drinks. A round of cokes for everyone! It's a clever way for the comedy club to make money and build interest. My mom made the rookie mistake of ordering lunch there and the bill was pretty hefty.
My mom also said that kids have to get used to the idea of responding to standup comics by making eye contact and at least smiling at their jokes. This is pretty difficult when you're trying to dig into your chicken fingers and another good reason to skip the lunch.
The shows are once a month and got two thumbs up from my young audience members.