Terry Ray

Review: A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE at The Bent
by Audrey Liebross - May 12, 2026

The Bent, the Coachella Valley’s LGBTQ+ theatre company, is presenting its first musical, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, written by Terrence McNally (book), Stephen Flaherty (music), and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics). The writers and composer have put together a moving book, lyrics, and score that create a deeply affecting and emotional story, with just enough hilarity to soften the upsetting moments. The brilliant acting, singing, directing, and design make this show a must-see.

Review: DOG SEES GOD at The Bent
by Joe Savant - Dec 8, 2025

Dog Sees God is a play that takes the gang from the world of the Peanuts comic strip and reimagines them as angsty, troubled teenagers. Although the names are changed, author Bert V. Royal makes it clear who our favorite cartoon characters have become in this dark interpretation.

THE INHERITANCE PART TWO at The Bent Proves Intimate On An Epic Scale
by David Green - Oct 21, 2025

Matthew Lopez’s The Inheritance Part Two opened the 2025–26 season at The Bent in Palm Springs on Friday, October 17. This follows The Inheritance Part One, which closed the 2024–25 season.

PALM SPRINGS YOUNG PLAYWRIGHT’S FESTIVAL Announces Call for Submissions
by Kay Kudukis - Oct 8, 2025

The Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival (PSYPF), which promotes and encourages theatrical creative writing among elementary, middle, and high school students within Riverside County, has announced that it is now accepting submissions for the 9th Annual Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival.

Previews: THE INHERITANCE PART II at The Bent
by Kay Kudukis - Oct 5, 2025

The Bent has announced the regional premiere of The Inheritance Part II. Learn more about the show here!

The Bent 2025/2026 Season Announced
by Kay Kudukis - Jul 31, 2025

​​​​​​​Against a backdrop of cultural tensions and renewed challenges to LGBTQ+ rights nationwide, The Bent —one of only a handful of exclusively LGBTQ+ focused theater companies in Southern California—announces its 25/26 season: a rich tapestry of plays, musicals, cabarets, and staged readings that shine a light on the complexity, resilience, and vibrancy of queer life.

Review: THE INHERITANCE PART I at The Bent
by Kay Kudukis - May 19, 2025

There is universal and personal anguish for all of us who can remember the frightening AIDS epidemic in the 80s. No one was left unscathed, and many families and friends were devastated with a feeling of fear and uncertainty about the enduring impact it would have for future generations.

Review: PERFECT ARRANGEMENT at The Bent
by Kay Kudukis - Feb 7, 2025

Sometimes I get to see a very good production of a very good play, and I go home feeling satisfied. As a reviewer, I sometimes have to see that same play again at another theatre with an entirely different cast and an entirely different directorial approach. It’s a bit like the remake of a classic. At first you wonder why it needs to be remade, and then having already seen what you consider the gold star, the outcome is less satisfactory. 

Review: SKIPPY AND BITSY’S ALL-STAR TV CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA at The Bent
by Kay Kudukis - Dec 18, 2024

It’s all in good (and a little naughty) fun at Skippy and Bitsy’s All-Star Christmas TV Extravaganza on “live television”. This is a tv special you might have run across while surfing cable access tv, or in an SNL Christmas skit from the 1980s where it’s live and it’s a trainwreck, and there ain’t nothing you can do about the disaster happening around you except punt and hope for the best.

Previews: I’LL EAT YOU LAST: A Chat at With Sue Mengers at The Bent
by Kay Kudukis - Dec 3, 2024

Palm Springs’ THE BENT presents Academy Award® nominee Cathy Moriarty as the ruthless Hollywood powerhouse talent agent Sue Mengers in John Logan’s one-woman, one-act play, “I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers,” directed by Steve Rosenbaum.

Review: F**KING MEN at The Bent
by Kay Kudukis - Oct 16, 2024

Joe Dipietro’s play explores the different dynamics between men and the thrill of anonymous sex. The comic throughline of “Why do we bang strangers? Because it feels fantastic!” propels the action, and comedy carries the night but buried underneath are some deeper emotions, and complicated situations. When the opportunity to have a meaningless encounter occurs, there is always discussion leading up to it, but there is always an encounter because… see title.

Review: THE LINCOLN DEBATE at The Bent
by Kay Kudukis - May 8, 2024

The Lincoln Debate, an original play by Terry Ray, is a great concept: Debate the long bandied about “rumor” that Abraham Lincoln was gay or, at very least, bi-sexual, and throw in some comic re-enactments.

Review: THE NEW CENTURY at The Bent
by Kay Kudukis - Feb 10, 2024

What did our critic think of THE NEW CENTURY at The Bent?

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Palm Springs Awards; Voting Ends 12/31
by BWW Awards - Dec 26, 2023

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Palm Springs Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Palm Springs Awards; ONCE, KAFKA'S JOKE, Desert Ensemble Theatre & More Lead!
by BWW Awards - Dec 18, 2023

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Palm Springs Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Review: IT'S ONLY A PLAY at The Bent
by Kay Kudukis - Dec 16, 2023

What did our critic think of IT’S ONLY A PLAY at The Bent?

BroadwayWorld Palm Springs Awards; ONCE, AGATHA CHRISTIE'S THE MOUSETRAP, Desert Ensemble Theatre & More Lead!
by BWW Awards - Dec 11, 2023

It's the final 3 weeks and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 11th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Palm Springs Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

BroadwayWorld Palm Springs Awards December 5th Standings; ONCE Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 5, 2023

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Palm Springs Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Review: THE BOYS IN THE BAND at The Bent
by Kay Kudukis - May 1, 2023

What did our critic think of THE BOYS IN THE BAND at The Bent?I went into this production by The Bent with some provenance. Back in the 20 teens I had the privilege of interviewing Larry Luckinbill on the 50th anniversary of Boys in the Band which was also the same year the remake came out. I watched the film. I read all about when the stage play came out in the 1960s, which is a powerful story in and of itself. I read about the playwright Mart Crowley, that there were two straight guys in the original production, and almost all of the other actors succumbed to AIDS.

Review: GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM at The Bent
by Stan Jenson - Mar 13, 2023

What did our critic think of GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM at The Bent? The Bent, Palm Springs' new LGBTQ theatre company, is alive and well, and I couldn't be happier. Our previous gay theatre company drifted away from gay-centric pieces in its last seasons, and I didn't realize how much I missed seeing such shows. As I watched The Bent's recent production of Martin Sherman's Gently Down the Stream, exploring an older gay man's memories, I found myself saying 'These are my people. I know their story.' Not only is The Bent telling gay stories - they are consistently telling them damned well!