(L-R) Caroline Jett (Granny Binding), Karena Stanley (Lily Ester) and on the ground is Cheynne De Barros (Mary Larkin). Credit: Photo by Lara Jackson c/o LAB Theater Project.

Spooky season is 100% here, so it makes sense that Tampa’s Lab Theatre Project (stylized “LAB”) will present the world premiere of a haunting new play later this month.

“The Abbey of the Holy Lonesome” tells a spooky and poetic story of longing, repression and treachery set in enchanted backwoods.

The fairy tale-esque play opens Oct. 20 and runs for three weekends through Nov. 6 inside Lab Theatre Project, located at 812 E Henderson Ave. just outside Ybor City. The play will also be available for on-demand viewing starting Nov. 3. Live performances are Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Tickets to see “The Abbey of the Holy Lonesome” at Lab Theatre Project are on sale now and start at $28.

“The Abbey of the Holy Lonesome” follows Mary-Larkin as she makes a deal to see her fate and navigate the unexpected that follows.

Written by playwright Andra Laine Hunter, the show features local actors Cheyenne DeBarros, Emma Hurlburt, Caroline Jett, Shay St. Clair and Karena Stanley. Director Katie Calahan is a local actor, writer and the director of education for LAB Theatre.

This article appears in Oct 13-19, 2022.