David Templeton

When North Bay journalist, writer and performer David Templeton started work two years ago on “Wretch Like Me,” his one-man show based on his adolescent years in Los Angeles County as a fundamentalist Christian, he didn’t know what to expect.

To his delight, he has encountered much more grace than wrath from audiences at live theaters all over the region.

“What’s been especially surprising is how much it has been embraced by the loved ones of former fundamentalists,” Templeton said recently.

“People love this story, and the word has been slowly spreading that it has a lot to say, funny stuff and insightful stuff, to people who have walked away from intensely fundamentalist organizations,” he added.

“I even received and email from a minister who said, ‘Your show has made me a better minister.’”

The show returns at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 5-6, at <USTAGS>Cinnabar Theater, 3333 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. $15-$18. 763-8920, cinnabartheater.org.

And there are more dates to come.

“I have been invited to perform on Aug. 26 and 27 at SRJC’s Newman Auditorium, a presentation of the Religious Studies department!” Templeton said. “Then I’ll be doing some performances in Sebastopol as part of Main Stage West’s new Solo series.”

For more information on the show, and future performances: www.wretchlikeme.org.