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‘Misery’

Millbrook Playhouse to present classic King tale starting Aug. 5

PHOTO BY DAVID LEIDHOLT Alice Kelly Bahlke and Timothy J. Cox will bring Alice and Paul to life in Millbrook Playhouse’s stage adaption of Stephen King’s “Misery.”

MILL HALL — The Board of Directors, Artistic Director David Leidholdt, and General Manager David Gritzner are pleased to announce the final Cabaret production of their 2022 summer season, “Misery” by William Goldman, based on the novel by Stephen King, from Aug. 5 through 14.

“Misery” follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash by his “Number One Fan,” Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home.

While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads the manuscript of his newest novel and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new “Misery” novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere.

The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it, and it does.

“Misery” is based on the American psychological horror thriller by Stephen King and was first published on June 8, 1987. Critical reception of “Misery” was positive — reviewers praised King for avoiding the fantasy elements of his past works. The novel was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film directed by Rob Reiner in 1990 and scripted by William Goldman, starring James Caan and Kathy Bates. A theatrical production starring Laurie Metcalf and Bruce Willis opened on Broadway in 2015.

Lawrence Lesher returns to the Millbrook Playhouse to direct the production. His previous Millbrook shows include “Tuna Christmas” in 2013, “Shakespear Abridged” and “Rounding Third” in 2014. “Misery” stars newcomer Alice Kelly Bahlke as Annie Wilkes, and Timothy J. Cox, last seen in “Rounding Third,” as Paul Sheldon and will feature Mr. Lesher as Buster.

The production team includes set design by Travis Williams, costume design by Bonnie Hall, lighting design by Brooke Reese, sound design by Ericka Conklin, and props design by David Singleton. The Production Stage Manager is Elizabeth (Bizzy) Miner, and Assistant Stage Manager is V.C. Deener.

“Misery” runs Aug. 5-6, 10-13 at 7:30 p.m., and Aug. 7, 10, and 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the box office Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by phone at (570) 748-8083 and online at www.millbrookplayhouse.org. Adult tickets are $27.50, Senior and Veteran/Military tickets are $23.50, student (13-College) tickets are $18.25, and youth (12 and under) tickets are $12.50.

Please note: This production contains some adult language.

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