Local playwright brings joy to the stage in 'Annette is a Bimbo!'

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Carson Walliser is full of pride as he prepares to host “the best slumber party ever.”

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Local playwright brings joy to the stage in 'Annette is a Bimbo!' Back to video

Walliser is the creator and star of “Annette is a Bimbo!” — the latest theatrical presentation by RISER Regina and On Cue Performance Hub — which runs May 25 to June 2 at the University of Regina’s Shu-Box Theatre (more info and tickets at oncueregina.ca).

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The play is a musical guide to Queer youth and romance, inspired by 1960s Beach Party movies. It’s designed to be wacky and fun, but with a deeper message at its core.

Walliser, who’s passionate about theatre, television and film, created the show last year after watching the Netflix series Heartstopper and a live presentation of the musical “& Juliet.” Both shows provided inspiration through Queer themes, which Walliser is looking to spotlight in his own production.

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“I just couldn’t stop thinking about it and the gap that I thought was there and how much those stories need to be told,” explained Walliser, who identifies as Queer. “When I initially learned of the RISER application, I knew I wanted it to be a Queer-centric story. I just think there’s not enough stories with those characters out in the world.”

The show follows a character named Nancy Parker (played by Angeline Lypka) on the night of her 16th birthday party. Nancy is in love with her best friend Hayley — and vice versa — but neither one knows how the other feels or how to express those feelings.

Everything changes when they accidentally summon a magical drag queen named Annette (played by Walliser), who serves as their guide to the perils and joys of love.

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Together, they “push back against patriarchal ideas” and “break free from the labels and expectations that society has placed upon them.”

“The show is all about Queer joy,” said Walliser. “I wanted to make a show where essentially Queer people aren’t the victims … (or) just a joke.”

Walliser wears several hats in the show as its creator, writer and lead character in addition to the set and costume designer.

The stage is intended to make people feel like they’re in a teenage girl’s bedroom, highlighted by pink shag carpet. The audience is also greeted by birthday decorations outside the door when they arrive.

“We’re encouraging people to come in their pyjamas with blankets so they can get all cozied up,” said Walliser, 28, who recently completed a term as costume coordinator at the prestigious Stratford Festival in Ontario.

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“We’re trying to emphasize that it is the best slumber party ever because it’s a night where everyone gets to be weird and silly and be celebrated for being themselves. There’s different points in the show where people can sing along. We want that interactive aspect where people feel like they can be a part of it without actually having to do anything.”

Walliser’s production is already enjoying some “lovely serendipity” because the last two days of its eight-show presentation take place at the start of Pride Month in June. Walliser also noted that the play aligns with the 100th anniversary of Disney — another source of inspiration for the first-time playwright.

“That’s largely what I grew up with, watching a lot of Disney movies and television shows,” he said. “We talk about Disney in the show a lot. Our patriarchal voice in the show is named Walt after Mr. Walt Disney and Annette is named after (actress) Annette Funicello, who was one of the original Mouseketeers in Mickey Mouse Club. It’s also the 10-year anniversary of Annette Funicello’s passing, which is another piece of serendipity.”

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Walliser, who graduated from theatre programs at the U of R and Edmonton’s MacEwan University, has been part of numerous plays over the years but most of his roles were as an actor or costume designer.

This production allows him to stretch his legs in an overall capacity.

Walliser “really loved the idea” of creating a new world in his first official experience as a playwright. He did so with help from his brother Landon, who’s the director, and his sister Rachel, who plays Hayley.

They’re all part of a tight-knit cast and crew.

“We have a number of Queer people in the cast and on the creative team,” Carson noted. “It has been really nice to be able to share that (experience) with so many people.”

Walliser expressed gratitude for the support of On Cue as well as the national RISER program, SK Arts, and Canada Council for the Arts, all of which helped him get the project off the ground.

Now that it’s set to launch, he’s intrigued by the possibility of Annette’s character living on and perhaps being part of a larger tour beyond Regina.

“I think there is a lot of really valuable stuff (in the production),” Walliser added. “Those kinds of shows aren’t presented very often … so I definitely want to spread it around as much as possible and for everyone to be able to see it.

“A tour is something I’d love to be able to do in the future.”

gharder@postmedia.com