The Best Boarding House in Delaware

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, 6 Balloons, Henry Johnson), marking the long-awaited return to the stage of beloved Emmy-Award winning actress Leigh Taylor-Young (Peyton Place, Soylent Green).

Leigh Taylor-Young is a Golden Globe–nominated 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. 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 is as haunting as it is compelling.

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.

Ryan reunites with her frequent collaborators for this production, including actors Heidi Sulzman (One in the Chamber, Bugaboo and The Silent One, A Good Family, Dysnomia), Jessie Warner (Dysnomia), Michelle Gardner (Bugaboo and The Silent One), scenic designer Michael Fitzgerald (Henry Johnson) and film producer Chris Bender (History of Violence).

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