A transformative dark comedy about the mess that makes us human
October 14 – 23
This play deals with mature themes and language. Recommended for age 14+.
Content advisory: Transphobia, discussion of illness and death. Click below for details.
Content advisory details
Transphobia, body dysphoria/dysmorphia, cancer diagnosis, and suicidal ideation.
WORLD PREMIERE!
A transformative dark comedy about the mess that makes us human
New Canadian play by Sharon Bajer and Elio Zarrillo
Directed by Annie Valentina
PLOT SYNOPSIS
Lily is an eccentric, outspoken woman who thought she had it all – a loving husband, a beautiful child and a healthy body, until everything she knew about her perfect life falls apart. Patrick always knew things were a little off, never feeling right in their “perfect” family or their “perfect” body. A day full of surprises sets this mother and child on a transformative journey that will either bring them closer or blast them apart. A funny, messy tale about two souls struggling to understand each other… while stuck in a vintage camper in the middle of nowhere. Inspired by the playwrights’ lived experiences, The Outside Inn is a dark comedy about parenthood, gender, identity, and embracing radical change.
Featuring Sharon Bajer (Lily) and Elio Zarrillo (Patrick).
Set design: Wes Babcock
Sound design: Dasha Plett
Lighting design: Ingrid Risk
Stage manager: Stephanie MacDonald
Apprentice stage manager: Alexa Kirste
We gratefully acknowledge that The Outside Inn received development support from Prairie Theatre Exchange, The Canada Council for the Arts, The Manitoba Arts Council and The Manitoba Association of Playwrights.
Thanks to the Office of the Academic Vice-President & Provost at StFX University for generous Production Support.
Sharon Bajer
Sharon (she/her) is an actress, playwright and director based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Sharon was trained at Studio 58 in Vancouver and The Stratford Festival in Ontario. Thrilled to back, Sharon has worked with Festival Antigonish on many projects including Molly’s Veil (playwright/actress), Boeing Boeing (actress – nominated for a Merritt award), Run for Your Wife (director), Lunenburg (director), Outside Mullingar (director) Burnin’Love (playwright), as well as readings of her plays Hersteria and The Gingerbread Girl. Other fun facts: she is a survivor of breast cancer, mother of three, a certified Intimacy Coordinator, actress in film and television, and she has over 5 million views on TikTok for a scene she did in the movie Run!
Learn more or follow Sharon on the following platforms:
Sharonbajer.com, IMDB, Instagram (@sharonbajer)
Elio Zarrillo
Elio Zarrillo (they/them) is a theatre artist, educator and consultant based on Treaty 1 territory. They love and live to agitate, investigate, experiment and uncover. They work with many theatres & companies in Winnipeg and beyond as a playwright, actor, director and cultural dramaturg. In addition to The Outside Inn, they are involved with two other world premieres this coming season. Their new play Volare is premiering at Prairie Theatre Exchange in the spring of 2023, and they will be performing in Daniel Thau-Eleff’s Narrow Bridge, premiering at the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre early in the new year.
Annie Valentina
Annie Valentina (she/her) is a theatre artist and multidisciplinary storyteller based in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. An alumna of Dalhousie University’s theatre program, Annie’s primary focus and passion is in new work development – whether as dramaturg, director, producer or playwright. Since 2018, she’s been the Artistic Associate of Neptune Theatre, where she among other things coordinates the INKubator play development program. Recent directing credits: Yaga by Kat Sandler (Highland Arts Theatre); Pleasureville by Ellen Denny; Lo (Or Dear Mr Wells) by Rose Napoli (both Neptune Theatre). Annie is also an award-nominated playwright, whose new play Ballad of the Motherland will premiere on the Neptune stage in the spring of 2023.