Veteran actor, playwright, and Widow’s Bay standout David Dean Bottrell is bringing his acclaimed off‑Broadway solo show to the big screen this month as TEENAGE WASTELAND: Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen makes its world premiere at Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival on Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 PM. The concert film, captured live at New York City’s iconic Dixon Place, preserves the immediacy and emotional punch of Bottrell’s award‑winning performance while expanding its reach to new audiences.
Directed by Karina Padron, the 80‑minute feature blends sharply observed humor with raw vulnerability as Bottrell revisits the unforgettable years of adolescence—ages thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen. Through a series of true stories, he explores small‑town life, queer identity, shame, desire, and the long, winding path toward self‑acceptance. Critics have praised the show’s ability to transform the universal humiliations of youth into a celebration of survival and authenticity. Front Row Center calls Bottrell’s storytelling “extraordinary,” while Charles Busch hails the piece as “a tour de force of brilliant storytelling.”
Bottrell’s television career is equally notable, with recent appearances on Apple TV’s hit series Widow’s Bay, which earned 19 Emmy nominations this year. His extensive résumé includes roles on Boston Legal, True Blood, Mad Men, Justified, Bones, NCIS, Criminal Minds, Rectify, Days of Our Lives, and iCarly. He is also the author of Working Actor, published by Penguin Random House.
After premiering off‑Broadway in 2025 and touring to enthusiastic audiences—including a sold‑out performance at Palm Springs’ Revolution Theatre—TEENAGE WASTELAND now arrives on screen with the same energy and emotional resonance that made the stage production a hit. Bottrell expressed his excitement about returning to Palm Springs for the film’s debut, noting the city’s warm and supportive audiences.
Cinema Diverse attendees can purchase tickets through the Palm Springs Cultural Center, where full festival details and scheduling are available. With early buzz and a powerful story at its core, TEENAGE WASTELAND: Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen promises to be one of this year’s standout LGBTQ+ film festival events.
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