Ahh, youth; a glorious time in our lives where we try to define who we are and to find the path you were meant to go down. For most of us, we go through many trials, tribulations and numerous stupid decisions but eventually we find our niche. Then there are those kids like David Crabb whose teenage pathfinding involved being a gay goth, who has to grow up with junkie friends, a nasty swarm of skinheads, adults who don’t have a clue and drugs…lots and lots of drugs.

For those that are wondering, David Crabb is the star and co-writer of Bad Kid, the one-person play I saw at the Axis Theater Company (directed and co-written by Josh Matthews). The show is the story of David Crabb’s teenage development and his experiences with many exuberant characters. But more importantly its about being different but still seeking acceptance in a culture where young men are expected to wear cowboy boots and ten gallon hats, not black capes and full facial makeup.

The best thing abut Bad Kid is that it’s extremely friggin hilarious! Crabb acts in detail of all of the most foolish and embarrassing moments in his life. Whether its being tricked into experimenting his sexuality with a cucumber or being drugged with cocaine by his odd ball friends, I couldn’t help but laugh at all the absurdities of his adolescence. Another great thing about the Bad Kid, are the host of eclectic characters in David’s life and the impersonations he does of them. There is his cowboy father, his “understanding” mother, his volatile friend Roxanne, his overenthusiastic best friend Greg and his gigantic skin head crush.

He danced flamboyantly across the stage constantly and his impersonations of his red neck and goth friends are amazing. Also, the way he used to tell these stories were so captivating and you could easily imagine the scenes in your head. He gave descriptions that were so detailed and used words that with such explosiveness that it was kind of enchanting. And that’s what the theater is all about. My friends pretty much thought the same way but what was most surprising was that that was his real life story; we didn’t realize that till the end. We agreed that he had a pretty sad life lol. Also it was funny that my crowd were the youngest and darkest people in the room. Yay for diversity!