Just in time for the Halloween season, Genesius Theatre is staging an intensely chilling stage adaptation of Stephen King’s critically-acclaimed psychological thriller, Misery.
The story features novelist Paul Sheldon and his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes. When Paul shatters his legs and sustains life-threatening injuries in a horrific auto accident, Annie brings him to her secluded cabin in the woods to nurse him back to health. However, when Annie reads Paul’s latest manuscript and discovers he has killed her favorite character, Misery Chastain, she flies into a rage. The superfan then begins an onslaught of physical and psychological torture to force her idol to write a new book that resurrects her beloved Misery.
The 1990 film adaptation of King’s novel gained a cult following and is still considered one of the greatest horror movies of all time. The film was Kathy Bates’ breakout performance; she won the 1991 Academy Award for best actress, among a slew of other wins and nominations that season, for her portrayal of Annie.
Local Actor Susan Behm is tackling the meaty role at Genesius. She says stepping into Bates’ shoes is intimidating, but a “bucket list” moment for her.
“As soon as I learned that MISERY was released as a play, I knew that I had to play Annie,” Behm said. “This story is the ultimate rollercoaster ride of obsession, love and hate. Annie’s emotional state is in constant flux, and Paul is at the mercy of her ups and downs. The way she shows her ‘love’ to Paul is the only way she knows how. The dynamic between the two is such a delicate arrangement. One misstep by either one, and that balance is disrupted. I’m looking forward to showing the audience a wide spectrum of emotions – compassion, determination, joy, rage, child-like excitement, anger, depression – just when they think they’ve got Annie figured out, she switches it up.”
Director Bill Eschbach talks about the stage adaptation: “William Goldman, who penned the screenplay for the Oscar-winning film adaptation, also adapted King’s novel for the stage. While the narrative for the novel and movie are quite expansive, the play focuses on the depraved codependency and loneliness in the relationship between Paul and Annie.” He states that exploring the complexities of that relationship required extensive character study for him and the small cast.
In addition to the thrill of seeing gore and special effects live and up close, Eschbach believes Genesius offers another truly spine-tingling element that neither acclaimed film nor novel can top: the space.
“In an intimate theatre setting like Genesius, the audience, like Paul, is held captive in the depressed, claustrophobic solitude of Annie’s cabin in the mountains. They get to experience for themselves the full power of Annie’s twisted ‘love and caring,’” Eschbach states.
Jeffrey Jones will be on the receiving end of that ‘love and caring.’ The local actor will be portraying Paul Sheldon, a role that he rightly describes as extremely physical, despite the amount of time spent bound to a bed or chair.
“I am most looking forward to tackling the challenges of this very physically complex role – not in an athletic sense, but in portraying physical pain. Emotional distress is one thing, but to portray someone that is suffering from broken bones, etc., and to do so in a believable way is something I am thrilled about diving into,” Jones shared.
While Misery is packed with enough frights to satisfy any horror lover, the rehearsal process has been a joy for the tight-knit cast and crew.
Jones quips, “I tend to view rehearsals as work, because the craft takes work. Albeit the work is fun, sure, but it does have an element of seriousness to it. This, being the smallest cast I have ever been involved in, has been a delight to say the very least. With primarily only two actors, the director and stage manager, rehearsals have been intense and side-splittingly funny.”
Genesius invites Stephen King fans and lovers of classic thrillers to share in the joy horror can bring. However, the production includes profanity, adult themes and displays of graphic violence, and is not intended for children.
Performances are scheduled for October 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, and 26. Sunday 10/20 is at 3 p.m.; all other performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $18 to $23, and the production runs approximately one hour and 45 minutes, including one, 15-minute intermission.
The cast of three includes Susan Behm as Annie Wilkes, Jefferey Jones as Paul Sheldon and Tommy Heiler as Buster. The production is directed is Bill Eschbach, stage managed by Sara Huard, assistant stage managed by Colleen Khalr, and produced by LJ Fecho.
Sound design is by Albert Garcia, lighting design is by Ollie Wampler of Scary Good Productions, costume design is by Cathy Miller, hair and wig design is by Diane Keck of Thanx Hair Artistry, fight choreography is by Tommy Heiler, set design is by Bill Eschbach and LJ Fecho, and scenic art is by Marjory Ewald and James Haggerty. Randall Hauk is master carpenter and Jeffrey Jones is prop master.
Genesius Theatre is located at 153 N. 10th St., Reading, PA. For tickets and additional information, visit www.genesiusdifference.org