Kids get grown-up laughs at NYC comedy club

"Don't judge me. I have a disease, a disease of the mind: ADHD," 17-year-old Leo Frampton said, reminding spectators that trouble focusing is common for teens. "People used to say, 'I love textbooks.' Now they say: 'I love exciting and interesting experiences.' ADHD is the new rock 'n' roll."

He said he gets annoyed during holiday breaks when adults repeatedly ask him if he's looking forward to returning to school. He said he'd like to counter: "Hey, it's almost tax season. ... Looking forward to going back to the office?"

The sold-out show — the first at Gotham in the history of Kids 'N Comedy — was a milestone for Grossman and a credit to the classes, which cost $595, and comedy summer camps, which cost $1,045.

Grossman said professionalism results from hard work.

"We try to motivate them to write all the time," she said. "If you want to keep it fresh, you have to keep on writing."

Some youngsters have graduated to bigger things, including 26-year-old actor Josh Peck, who recently appeared in the movie "Red Dawn" after playing Josh Nichols in the Nickelodeon sitcom, "Drake & Josh."

"To see these kids, they're funny, they're really funny," Grossman said. "Nobody's doing knock-knock jokes."