"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
In partnership with The Palm Springs Cultural Center
Reviews from our recent hit production of...
GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM
"Two remarkable actors star in Martin Sherman's GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM. Terry Ray and Daniel Bateman shine in this relationship drama directed by Steve Rosenbaum... chemistry and charm carry the day in this unconventional love story."
Mike Napoli - Performing Arts LIVE
"An astonishing theatrical experience"
"A knockout"
"Impossible to find a flaw in Ray's delivery...the audience is in the palm of his hand for the entire show...something you won't soon forget."
Director Steve Rosenbaum is also an actor which helps explain the depth of his success
...explains the quality work with his actors."
"Rufus (Daniel Bateman) and Beau (Terry Ray) exchange perfectly timed conversations
...it's endlessly interesting."
Justin Ledesma "brightens the stage with his energy and presence."
"The best thing you can do is go see this play
...it's my favorite of the season."
Valerie-Jean Hume - THE CV INDEPENDENT
"The Bent continues their pattern of excellence... Not only is The Bent telling gay stories -
they are consistently telling them damned well!"
"I honestly don't think Laurence Olivier could do a better job with the monologues than Terry Ray did... a nuanced performance... Ray's dialect is masterful and consistent."
"The Bent's Artistic Director, Steve Rosenbaum, directs with the inventive excellence that we have come to expect from him. He brings great humanity to the script."
"The production values are top-notch and all three actors presented outstanding performances."
"Top marks to The Bent for bringing this jewel to our attention and
presenting it with unwavering excellence!"
Stan Jepson - BroadwayWorld
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.
ABOUT US
The Bent is a non-profit 501(c)3 theater dedicated to resourcing the talents and needs of the LGBTQIA+ communities. We believe by shining a light on humanity through theater and other artistic expressions we can create a deeper understanding of our common struggles, triumphs, joys and love within our community.
Artistic Director
STEVEN ROSENBAUM
Steven Rosenbaum is an actor’s director. As a frequent actor he understands both sides of the coin. He has appeared on screen in ANOTHER DAY WITH YOU, TAKING CARE OF HELEN, RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN, KIDS IN AMERICA, THE TIE THAT BINDS, SAM AND MIKE and the upcoming WALNUTS. In Los Angeles Steve has worked with respected theater companies such as The Open Fist, The Celebration, The Odyssey, The Pacific Resident Theatre and The Actors Forum. His directing credits range from a holiday show starring Amanda Bynes at the venerable Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, to the first AIDS play AS IS, to a play he also wrote called CHATTER, CHATTER, WHAT’S THE MATTER? starring Andy Warhol muse Holly Woodlawn. Other theater credits include THE MEMORANDUM, THE FLAUTIST, MARATE SADE, LESBIAN SEAGULLS, PATHETICA and AWAKE AND SING.
Rosenbaum has won several Los Angeles theater awards for his work and has proven himself over and over as the man who can pull off the impossible under pressure by “directing” the most special day in many people’s lives as he coordinates and plans their weddings. Rosenbaum recently directed a star-studded tribute evening celebrating singing legend Dionne Warwick. Steven is the director of Terry Ray’s hit play ELECTRICITY, from its 11-week extended run for its Los Angeles premiere to its record-breaking nearly 4-year run in Palm Springs. He will also direct its Off-Broadway run in 2023.
After nearly 30 years of professional collaboration Steven is teaming with Terry Ray and honored to step into the role of Artistic Director at The Bent.
Terry Ray is a veteran actor, writer and producer with over 180 film, television and theater credits. He has shared the stage with stars such as Dixie Carter, Elaine Stritch, Patricia Heaton and Matthew Perry. His numerous television and film acting credits include IN LIVING COLOR, ELLEN, 7TH HEAVEN, THE MULLETS, KENAN & KEL, THE AMANDA SHOW, DRAKE & JOSH, A.N.T. FARM, JOE DIRT 2, and the camp classic ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK. Ray’s first show as a writer was HOLLYWOOD GOES CLASSICAL at the venerable Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with a stellar cast that included Mickey Rooney, Dean Jones, Brock Peters, Ronda Fleming, Michael York and Dee Wallace. He also created shows at the Dorothy Chandler for (and co-starred alongside) Amanda Bynes and Hilary Duff. Terry Ray co-wrote and starred in several original shows and films including the multi-award winning short film GAYDAR with Charles Nelson Reilly which the California Independent Film Festival recently named as one of the Top 20 All Time Best Comedy Short Films. Ray co-wrote and produced the comedy series MY SISTER IS SO GAY (Amazon Prime), starring alongside Loni Anderson, Debra Wilson, Tilky Jones and Rae Dawn Chong.
Terry Ray is the creator, writer and star of HERE! TV’s first sitcom FROM HERE ON OUT which also stars Juliet Mills. He wrote and co-starred with Dawn Wells (Mary Ann from GILLIGAN’S ISLAND) in a series of spoofs of Dawn’s classic sitcom called SHE’S STILL ON THE FREAKIN‘ ISLAND. Ray co-created/produced and wrote the game show MODD COUPLES airing on Hulu. He’s also the co-writer of the 2017 TV movie LOVE: UNPLUGGED starring Mischa Barton, David Ogden Stiers and Markie Post. He recently launched his newest series, TV THERAPY with a long roster of classic TV stars.
Terry Ray’s play ELECTRICITY (directed by Steve Rosenbaum and starring Ray and Mel England) became a record breaking hit in the Cochella Valley, playing for nearly 4 years. Terry won the Desert Theatre League’s 2022 award for Outstanding Original Writing. ELECTRICITY is now headed Off-Broadway in 2023. Ray is the acting coach at the new Palm Springs branch of the famed Actor’s Lab. He is also the writer of the new play THE LINCOLN DEBATE. Terry Ray is thrilled to launch The Bent with long time collaborator and friend, Steve Rosenbaum.
Managing Director
TERRY RAY
