A Boston based actor and comedian who performs an irreverent one-man show on drugs and making good choices has become a hit with young audiences, the New York Times reported June 8.

John Morello spends more than 100 days a year on the road performing at schools, churches and other venues nationally. What makes Morello's show different from other anti-drug presentations is its tone and format, with segments delivered by a variety of characters including a Goth girl and the grandfather of a philosophical high-school student.

"I don't preach, teach or lecture. It's a show," said Morello, 39, who typically dresses in jeans, T-shirt and a hooded sweatshirt for his performances. Humor is the weapon used to gently expose the darker side of marijuana use and prescription drugs, sprinkled with numerous pop-culture references.

Morello also shares his own family history: one brother died in a drunk-driving crash at age 20, another of a heroin overdose after struggling with addiction, recovery and relapse.

Not every community has been receptive to his message, and some parents have asked him to censor his act. "I won't dumb it down," he said. "These kids are way too smart to disrespect that way."