Theater Interview: DAVID DEAN BOTTRELL (New Solo Show “Teenage Wasteland” Now on Tour)

Teenage Wasteland: David Dean Bottrell Brings His New Solo Show to Revolution Stage Company

An award-winning actor and writer dives into the awkward, hilarious, and heartfelt moments of adolescence—ages thirteen to fifteen—with his signature wit and warmth.

David Dean Bottrell, acclaimed actor and storyteller known for his roles in Frasier, Modern Family, and his work with Revolution Stage Company, returns to the stage with Teenage Wasteland on Saturday, May 17 in Palm Springs as part of a national tour. Following the success of his previous solo show The Death of Me Yet, Bottrell’s latest work explores his adolescence through a collection of funny, poignant, and personal stories. The show will visit multiple cities, including Los Angeles, and Nantucket.

Teenage Wasteland has already garnered praise for its heart, humor, and vulnerability, making Bottrell’s return to the stage a must-see event. Below, Bottrell shares insights on the creation of the show, what he’s learned from the audience, and what he hopes to pass on.

1. Why did you choose the ages thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen specifically?

This is my fourth solo show, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that I’ve gotta have a strong idea—like a clothesline—that I can hang all the stories on. When I first thought about adolescence as a subject, an avalanche of stories started tumbling into my head. So many that I knew I couldn’t tell them all, so I decided to focus on the ages thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen. And wow, did that turn out to be a good decision. As soon as I started typing, I started to laugh. I’m hoping to do a sequel in a couple of years about ages sixteen through eighteen. I’m not sure what the title will be, but I suspect the word “acne” will be in there somewhere.

2. How did you strike the emotional balance between funny and poignant?

Truthfully, I always start out thinking, “Oh man, that’s a hilarious story, I’ll tell that one.” But then when I start writing about what actually went down—or worse yet, why (at that age) I thought that was a good idea—what began as a really funny story suddenly takes an honest, bittersweet turn. Adolescence is such a weird, fragile stretch between childhood and adulthood and we’re all so clueless. Everything is a guess. And sometimes your guess goes horribly wrong.

3. What still echoes from those teenage years in your life today?

I came from a very working-class background. So, hopes were not high. Truth be told, my family was incredibly luckless in pretty much every department—and yet, we laughed about it. That ability to laugh at the worst parts of life turned out to be really valuable to me. And when I went to Hollywood, it weirdly turned out to be a marketable job skill. It always infuses my acting and my writing. It ultimately gave me my career.

4. How do you experience “communal healing” in the room with an audience?

When I first started performing my stories live, I realized that the only way I was going to hold the audience’s attention was to tell the truth. No matter how awkward or embarrassing it might be. It’s scary, but when I do that, I can feel the audience relax a little. They start laughing more, and soon the laughs become longer. And what they’re laughing about is usually something that was—at the time—really painful or humiliating. It’s so liberating. It’s like we’re all taking our lemons and making some really delicious lemonade together.

5. How do different cities respond to this show?

Much to my great, great relief, I’ve yet to bomb anywhere. Sometimes, when I’m working out of town, I have to give the audience a few minutes to get to know me. Even if they’ve seen me on TV, they have no idea who I am, or how far I’m going to go with this story—or if I’m suddenly going to rip my clothes off or something. Now, if they don’t laugh in the first few minutes, I don’t panic. I just keep telling them the story. I just keep talking and eventually they start joining the party. The stories in Teenage Wasteland: Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen may seem really personal at first, but in reality, they’re deeply universal at the same time.

6. How has the show resonated with younger LGBTQ+ audience members or families?

When I look out at my audience during a show, I feel incredibly lucky. Over time, I’ve developed a small but loyal following that incorporates all kinds of people: gay, lesbian, straight, and everything in between—including a younger crowd that I would never have anticipated. I’m not sure what the common denominator is other than that my stories are often about the baffling task of being a human being—a human being who wants their life to matter in some way. I think it’s appealing to young people to see somebody up there admitting that life has no instruction booklet included. We’re all just doing our best.

7. Has recognition and awards changed your perspective or your risk-taking?

Ironically, I just found out on Friday that I’m apparently about to win another one. Honestly, I have been totally surprised by the awards. I really mean that. It’s not like I’m out there belting power ballads or doing backflips over flaming swords. It’s me on a stool, talking. I will say that receiving some form of concrete recognition has been reassuring—meaning it’s like getting a message that reads: “It’s okay. Keep going. Just keep going.” And that is a message that every artist needs to hear from time to time. So, I’m just going to keep going.

8. Do you see Teenage Wasteland evolving—or is your next piece already brewing?

Yes, there’s been flickers of interest in turning the content of the show into a memoir or adapting it into a TV show. I worked in Hollywood for years, so we’ll see. When I did my first solo show, I thought that’s it. I’ll never do another one. Now, I’ve got the beginnings of at least three more shows on the drawing board. But I’m going to take my time. Right now, I’m really happy just doing this show!

9. What do you hope audiences take away from Teenage Wasteland?

The world is passing through a rough patch. My hope is that when people come into a space together, listen together, and laugh together, there is a kind of release. We collectively let go of a few things we don’t need anymore. And we make a little space in our heads and hearts for something new to enter. Laughter is an incredibly powerful force. I’m so grateful I get to hear it every time I do a show. I’m a lucky, lucky guy.

Teenage Wasteland isn’t just a walk down memory lane—it’s a bold, hilarious, and deeply human exploration of the moments that shape us. With his signature blend of vulnerability and wit, David Dean Bottrell reminds us that the messiness of adolescence is universal—and that sharing our stories can be both healing and transformative. As he continues to tour the country, one thing is clear: Bottrell isn’t just telling his story—he’s inviting us to laugh, reflect, and remember our own. Don’t miss the chance to join the journey.

photos courtesy of the artist