Writing does not cause misery, it is born of misery – Montaigne
MOUNT VERNON — A writer finds himself engulfed in a seemingly never-ending snowstorm unable to make it out alive. He crashes his car, and his fate takes a turn.
Emerging from the storm, an unknown adoring fan saves him. She brings the writer into her home, places him on a spare bed and slowly nurses him back to health.
He’s thankful, at first, wondering about the condition of the roads and if they’re passable. He wants to go on his way. He’s more than willing to leave the small town of Sidewinder, Colorado.
But his adoring fan doesn’t want him to leave until he changes the ending of his upcoming book “Misery’s Child” due to a favorite character’s untimely death and too much cursing.
The twisted psychological thriller “Misery,” written by Stephen King, will be performed at The Alcove Oct. 20 to Nov. 11.
“In the fall we try to do a Halloween theme show,” said actor Bruce Jacklin, playing writer Paul Sheldon.
The dinner theater group applied for the rights to “Misery” immediately when it became available. The play was written by William Goldman, with King’s seal of approval.
The production was slated to be performed last year, but due to illness, the production was put on hold.
Being able to put a bow on the show has been satisfying, Jacklin said during a dress rehearsal.
Actor Maureen Browning, playing the role of Annie Wilkes, has worked alongside Jacklin in previous productions, the duo said, having great chemistry during scenes both in dramas and comedies.
Browning prepared for the role by reading articles on Wilkes.
What do others think about her? If she had any mental illnesses?
Her childhood belief system, her love life, religion and occupation working as a nurse in a hospital in which she killed several of her patients.
Wilkes began reading the “Misery” novels written by Sheldon and found a strange, strong connection with the character Misery — a telepathic one-way connection.
Wilkes has a twisted love for Sheldon, Browning said, adding she has a lengthy range of emotions from being a soft-spoken sweetheart to a vicious, torturing, demented beast.
Everything Wilkes does, in her mind, is showcasing her love for Sheldon.
“My favorite part of playing the role is going 0 to 60 (with her emotions,)” Browning said.
The challenging role is welcomed by Browning, who digs deep to find the true emotional depth for the performance to come through on stage.
“It’s really draining when you come off stage because you just spent the last 90 minutes terrorizing or being terrorized,” Browning said. “It gets under your skin a little while.”
Steve Jefferson, born in Cleveland, plays Sheriff Buster, who investigates Sheldon’s disappearance and repeatedly goes to Wilkes’ house for interviews.
The performances are packaged by director and chairman of Kenyon College’s theater department Ben Viccellio, who has allowed the actors to develop the story and characters as they see fit, Jacklin said.
Part of Viccellio’s directing style is by asking why.
Why is Wilkes angry? Is she just insane or is there something more under the surface?
“Anger is a secondary emotion,” Jacklin said. “Have to clue the audience on where the anger is coming from.”
Tickets for “Misery” can be purchased here.