"If their preview production is an indication, hold onto your hats. THE BENT theatre might just end up being the most in-demand ticket in town."
---Broadway World
THE BENT
Presents the Southern California Premiere of
GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM
GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM is a remarkably moving, brilliantly funny love story between an older man and his much younger partner. This is playwright Martin Sherman's newest play. His works include the seminal gay play, BENT as well as the book to the musical THE BOY FROM OZ.
Beau, a pianist expat living in London, meets Rufus, an eccentric young lawyer, at the dawn of the internet dating revolution. After a life spent recovering from the disappointment and hurt of loving men in a world that refused to allow it, Beau is determined to keep his expectations low with Rufus.
But Rufus comes from a new generation of gay men who believe happiness is as much their right as anyone else's, and what Beau assumed would be just another fling grows into one of the most surprising and defining relationships of his life.
The play reflects the triumphs and heartbreaks of the entire length of the gay rights movement, celebrating and mourning the ghosts of the men and women who led the way for equality, marriage and the right to dream.
Performance dates are February 17, 18, 24, 25, 26 & March 2, 3, 4
All performances are at 7pm except February 26 is a 2pm matinee.
The Bent's inaugural production
The Coachella Valley’s brand new LGBTQ theater company, The Bent's first production was the world premiere of THE LINCOLN DEBATE by Terry Ray, the playwright of ELECTRICITY, the record-breaking longest running play in Palm Springs. Steve Rosenbaum directs.
THE LINCOLN DEBATE takes a funny, touching and historically honest look at the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and Joshua Speed, a man he shared a bed with for four years. Did they have an intimate relationship? Did one of the greatest men in American history have a letter under the LGBTQ banner that fit him? You will leave THE LINCOLN DEBATE armed to draw your own conclusions.
Due to sell-out performances and word of mouth during its initial run, THE LINCOLN DEBATE returns Tuesday, February 14 and running every Tuesday (with a bonus show on President's Day).
THE LINCOLN DEBATE is a joint production of The Bent
and the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
Click box for tickets to THE LINCOLN DEBATE
"One of the most memorable productions in California."
GED - Gay Entertainment Directory
"ELECTRICITY is shockingly good...
The show is expertly executed...the perfect
combination of sweet, sexy, uproarious, and at times, sad."
Winston Gieseke, PALM SPRINGS LIFE
"The hottest play in Palm Springs...A must-see!"
Diane Anderson-Minshall, THE ADVOCATE
FEBRUARY 10TH & 11TH ONLY!
"Ray and England are superb as these star-crossed lovers...
It's some damn fine writing...
--Kay Kudukis, BROADWAY WORLD
These are benefit performances for THE BENT and The Palm Springs Cultural Center
Ticket price includes a post show reception with cast / playwright and director.
There is brief nudity.
ELECTRICITY
For two special performances only the longest running play in Palm Springs returns for a final encore before heading to an Off-Broadway run to benefit the brand new LGBTQ+ theater The Bent and The Palm Springs Cultural Center, its new home. If you've never seen this multi-award winning play that has been receiving rave reviews for 6 years or want to see it again (like many have) this is your final chance without needing to buy a plane ticket to NYC!
ELECTRICITY is a deliciously funny, sexy and surprisingly emotional journey as it explores the relationship between two gay men who met as high school freshmen in small town Ohio. ELECTRICITY begins in 1983, at their 10th high school reunion. Sex, drugs and booze make up the life of formerly closeted Brad Burke, while ex-seminary student Gary Henderson is still so closeted that he hides his sexuality behind an invented wife. After reuniting at the party, they decide to share a motel room. Soon there's a monumental clash of worlds that sparks an "electricity" between them that lures them back to that same motel room after each 10-year reunion from 1983 to 2013. By witnessing the changes in Brad and Gary the play shines a spotlight on the tremendous evolution in the lives of the LGBTQ+ community over the turbulent decades from 1969 to 2013. ELECTRICITY navigates a world where gay life was hidden in bars and sex clubs to one where equality might just be a reality--if Gary and Brad can only believe that they deserve it.
Playwright/actor Terry Ray and actor Mel England return to once again play Gary and Brad. Steve Rosenbaum directs.
The Bent Presents
BETH LAPIDES
in
IT'S A LOT
It’s A Lot is the new show from comedian, author, innovator, and muse Beth Lapides. It’s about change, navigating through this overwhelming now, the nature of creating, and the possibility that everything is unfolding in divine and perfect order! Beth’s iconic
blend of the soul searching, storying telling, meaning mining, moment making and revival tent inspiration, will be in full effect.
“The godmother of alternative comedy!” The LA Times
“Nothing’s cooler!” Vanity Fair”
Beth is the critically acclaimed creator of UnCabaret, which Variety called ‘a progressive comedy institution’, and which launched the alt comedy revolution. Over the past 25+ years of live shows, TV, CD’s and streaming Beth has welcomed comedy luminaries like Margaret Cho, Bob Odenkirk, Jennifer Coolidge, Kathy Griffin, Julia Sweeney, Alec Mapa, Scott Thompson, Patton Oswalt, Janeane Garofalo and so many more.
“A potentially life changing treasure!” Variety
Beth has appeared on an in: Sex and The City, Comedy Central, Will and Grace, PBS’s Women in Comedy, NPR’s All Things Considered, Vulture’s Good One podcast, CNN, The Today Show, Politically Incorrect, Time Magazine, O Magazine, Elle Décor, LA Yoga, the cover of the LA Weekly etc.
“You need alt comedy swami Beth Lapides!” LA Weekly
“A comedy be in!” Rolling Stone
Mitch Kaplan is the It’s A Lot Musical Director. His songs have been performed and recorded by Chaka Khan, Thelma Houston, Sister Sledge, Sam Harris, and Martika etc. and have appeared in films such as Jonathan Demme’s Something Wild. His song, If I Travel Up, is the end credit song for the upcoming
documentary film Studio One Forever.