**** Highly Recommended Who knew that Janet Davies could act? That genial ‘woman about town’ from ABC news is starring in Misery, the first production of the season at Dunes Arts Summer Theater, and she’s killing it! Davies owns the part of Annie, the crazy stalker fan run amok. I really don’t like creepy thrillers - I didn’t read Misery and I didn’t see the movie – so I wasn’t looking forward to seeing this play. I have to say it caught me and never let go. Everything about this production is first-rate. Don’t miss it. 4 Spotlights
You probably know the story. Best-selling author Paul Sheldon (Kevin Lee Giese) is in seclusion at a resort in Silver Creek, Colorado working on his next book. On the way to the post office to mail the manuscript to his agent, he goes off the road in a snowstorm.
When he wakes up, he has no idea where he is. A woman is standing by his hospital bed checking his IV. She introduces herself as Annie Wilkes (Janet Davies), his number one fan. She tells him that he was in an accident, that she pulled him out of the wreck and brought him home, and that he’s got broken legs and a dislocated shoulder.
Annie takes good care of him at first, at least until she finds the manuscript for his new book. Although he tells her it’s very different from his Misery series, but she doesn’t listen. She absolutely loves the Misery Chastain character, so she’s eager to read this book. She hates the new book, so she makes Paul suffer.
On a trip to town one day, she buys the newest Misery release, but she hates the ending, since Misery died. On another trip to town, she buys a used typewriter (with an n that doesn’t work) and a package of paper. When she gets home, she puts Paul in a wheelchair, rolls him up to a small table and tells him to fix it!
Following orders, he starts writing. As he progresses, Annie becomes more and more obsessed. Whatever she does, Misery (Emmie Reigel) imitates. When Buster (Jim Lampl) the Sheriff comes calling with a missing persons report on Paul, Annie puts him off, but he’s suspicious.
Kudos to Artistic Director Steve Scott who snagged the services of John Hancock to direct Misery, not to mention his long-time friend, Janet Davies. His decision to bring back Kevin Lee Giese after an eleven-year hiatus, brings DST full circle. I remember seeing him in Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar. By the way, I loved Scenic Designer Michael Lasswell’s cabin in the woods. It totally set the scene!
Misery, an adaptation of a novel by Steven King, was written by William Goldman who also wrote the movie. Misery premiered at the Bucks County Playhouse in 2012. It opened on Broadway in 2015 with Laurie Metcalf in the role of Annie. It should be noted that Simon Moore wrote another adaptation in 1992.
Misery runs through June 15th at Dunes Arts Summer Theatre, 288 Shady Oak Drive, Michigan City (Michiana Shores), IN. Parking is free. Running time is a little over two hours with an intermission. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm. Tickets range from $30-$35. FYI (219) 879-7509 or www.dunesARTS.org