April 2026
THE BEST BOARDING HOUSE IN DELAWARE
My comment: In February of 2026 I was in the mountains of Colombia, South America as part of a deeply reflective spiritual retreat called Living in Grace. I got a call from a beautiful actress friend of some 50 years, Lesley Ann Warren. In those far away high mountains I couldn?t believe how clear her voice sounded. She told me she had been asked to do a play that she could not do because of her schedule and would I be interested. She said it was very provocative and powerful and an acting challenge?would I want to do such a thing? I asked her to have the director/writer call me and send me the script. YES! It was powerful and challenging, yet after talking to the dynamic and truly gifted writer and director, Marja-Lewis Ryan, and with my husband?s support, I said YES. I was terrified but I knew that Yes was the only response. I had not done a play since the early 90s. I arrived in Los Angeles on a Monday evening and the next day began rehearsals. The wild and incredible adventure began. I am so thrilled I was part of this team. I loved the creative risking in this special and unique piece, and taking the challenge to leap off a cliff and trust myself that I would fly. I did.
ABOUT
Leigh Taylor-Young Stars in THE BEST BOARDING HOUSE IN DELAWARE at Electric Lodge.
Emmy winner Leigh Taylor-Young returns to the stage in Marja-Lewis Ryan’s new play at The Electric Lodge Theater.
The world premiere of The Best Boarding House in Delaware, a new play by acclaimed writer/director Marja-Lewis Ryan (The L Word; Generation Q, Henry Johnson), now playing through April 11 at The Electric Lodge Theater in Venice, CA. The production marks the long-awaited return to the stage of beloved actress Leigh Taylor-Young (Peyton Place, Soylent Green).
Leigh Taylor-Young is an Emmy Award winning actress whose career spans more than five decades across film, television, and stage. She rose to prominence with her acclaimed performance on the groundbreaking series Peyton Place and went on to deliver memorable roles in films such as Soylent Green and The Big Bounce, as well as popular television series including Dallas and Picket Fences (for which she received the Emmy award). Taylor-Young has built a body of work with lasting cultural impact, cementing her legacy as a respected and influential figure in American entertainment. She is thrilled to make her return to stage in this world-premiere play.
Inspired by the chilling true crimes of Dorothea Puente-who ran a social security scam out of her boarding house for seniors-The Best Boarding House in Delaware explores themes of trust, vulnerability, and survival. Ryan brings her signature emotional depth and human insight to a story that amounts to a haunting warning about the invisibility of older women in this country.
The Best Boarding House in Delaware continues Ryan’s tradition of creating powerful, character-driven theater that blends true crime with intimate human storytelling. The production sheds light on loneliness and aging in America while centering the emotional lives of its characters.
REVIEWS
Stage Scene LA Review:
THREE BAGS FULL
Written by: Jerome Chodorov. Based on a play by Claude Magnier
Character name: Jeanette
My comment: This was a big coup to work for Gower Champion at age 21 in my first professional job on Broadway. The dream I held for myself to work in the Theatre had come true. This success for me, set the stage for Peyton Place later the same year, 1966.
THE BECKETT PLAYS: Catastrophe
Written by: Samuel Beckett
Character name: The Assistant
My comment: I was so proud to be a part of such a superb Beckett production. This experience allowed me the opportunity to travel, meet Beckett, and develop a treasured friendship with David Warrilow, a great Beckett actor. There were many transcendent creative moments that occurred while performing in this play.
LTY Writes About The Beckett Plays: Catastrophe
KNIVES
Written and directed by: John Cassavettes
Character name: The Lawyer
My comment: Knives was the first time I was exposed to the chaotic brilliance of John Cassavettes. He adored actors. This is hard to find sometimes amongst directors. The role wasn’t very big, but that didn’t matter. I simply thrived in the nourishing artistic environment around John Cassavettes.
SLEEPING DOGS
Written by: Neal Bell
Character name: Sally
My comment: This was a play in a series of new plays “in progress” at the Mark Taper Theatre. Judd Nelson was in it, as well. It was innovation at its wildest. I remember being given a full page monologue to memorize one hour before a matinee. I managed to pull it off. An actor does these things occasionally to test themselves!