This Greenville Journal article by Paul Hyde was originally published on November 27th, 2024. Photo: Will Crooks
The Warehouse Theatre has built its considerable reputation on bringing the unexpected to the stage.
So perhaps it’s no surprise that the Greenville theater’s Christmastime slot will feature psychological thriller and dark comedy “Misery,” based on the novel by horror master Stephen King.
“Misery” follows a 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 his latest book 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 things get rather complicated from that point. A sledgehammer might be involved as well.
“It’s a hugely entertaining story, so funny and scary,” said Jess Chayes, stage director. “It’s a story that really takes you on a wild ride.”
“Misery” runs 90 minutes with no intermission to preserve the brisk momentum.
Up close and personal
The play was adapted by William Goldman from his own popular 1990 film “Misery,” starring Kathy Bates and James Caan and based on King’s novel.
Chayes has a special connection to the stage version of “Misery.” She was associate director of the 2015 production on Broadway starring Bruce Willis and Laurie Metcalf.
That staging was produced in a large theater. Chayes relishes the opportunity to stage the play at the smaller Warehouse.
“I’ve been really excited to use the virtues of the Warehouse, the intimacy of the theater, the great actors, the close proximity of the audience,” Chayes said. “This story is being told up close and personal with the audience.”
The cast features longtime Warehouse artists Kerrie Seymour (“Witch,” “Appropriate”) as Annie Wilkes and Aaron Brakefield (“Assassins,” “The Rocky Horror Show”) as Paul Sheldon. Lou Buttino rounds out the cast as the well-meaning sheriff, Buster.
Chayes is returning to The Warehouse Theatre for the first time since she directed “The Flick” there in 2018.
Theatergoers should note: The play includes some violence and strong language.
