Acting, music, setting make 'Misery' the 'King' of thrilling plays

 By Dan Larkin
 Detours Writer

 Saturday night, I cast aside the normal T-shirt and threw on a sweater. I had a date. It took place at the Hippodrome, and I was to see the classic Stephen King novel "Misery" brought to life on the stage. I had my doubts … permit me to explain.

 a) It's Saturday night. A two-act production will usually fall drastically short to an average party.

 b) "Misery" was both a brilliant novel and an outstanding film. Both received critical acclaim. Both of these works I have experienced personally. I had unreachable expectations.

 c) Kathy Bates. Enough said.

 As my special guest and I found our seats, ideas for my pre-determined negative review flew threw my head. With a title like "Misery," negativity could be obtained too easily. The lights then went out, and with them went my review. I was forced to disregard every idea I had previously shaped. The play was brilliant.

 "Misery" is the story of romance writer Paul Sheldon and Annie Wilkes, the schizophrenic nurse and his No. 1 fan who literally takes his life in her hands.

 Every aspect grabbed my attention. The set served its purpose to perfection, creating an unsettlingly eerie atmosphere, without drawing an ounce of attention away from the actors. The lighting only added to the effects of the set, instilling a sickening feeling of restlessness. The play captivated the eye. Every emotion emphasized by light, every action dancing with a flash.  The music made me shiver. It was disturbing; it was haunting; it was chilling. The soundtrack ranged from chilling compositions reminiscent of a psychotic Björk album, to the uncomfortable drone of machinery gone horribly wrong. Every musical intermission was a scene in itself, the songs transmitting the themes of suspense and terror into each viewer, delightfully luring them to the edge of their seats, leaving them gasping for one more second.

 Despite the brilliance behind the scenes, it was the actors who controlled the stage. Actor James Marr seemed to melt away immediately, leaving nothing behind but the character of Sheldon. We are there with him through every scream of pain, every drugged moan and every eccentric outburst. His performance was impeccable, and is matched only by his counterpart, a loving No. 1 fan.

 The obsessive gaze of Wilkes in the opening scene, fixated on her idol Sheldon, established her character immediately as she sat, tapped her foot, and continued to feed us that lifeless, unforgiving stare. Wilkes, beautifully brought to life by actress Sara Morsey, demanded the audience watch her every move. Each person staring in anticipation, waiting for the next rage filled outburst, the next passionate attack - all in the name of love. We all stood by and watched as she drained every ounce of life from Sheldon, breaking him again and again, convincing us it was all too real. And it was. 

 Not one person I know enjoys to be proven wrong. It is never enjoyable. However in this instance I must make an exception to the rule. "Misery," is merely another production to add to Hippodrome director Lauren Caldwell's stellar track record. And all though Bates was nowhere to be found that night, you will not find these eyes shedding any tears.

First Coast Entertainer, October 27, 2001

Theatre review by DICK KEREKES
(dickkerekesD@yahoo.com)

Stephen King novels are always on a best-seller list and several have been made into movies, but this is the first that has gone from being a book to a movie to a stage production. The Hippodrome Theatre in Gainesville opened "Misery" last weekend and when word gets out it, expect sell-out crowds. Why? The show Is an edge of seat thriller. 

I have seen the 1990 movie of "Misery" with James Caan and Cathy Bates several times, but I was still caught up in the drama and suspense despite knowing the ending (which is a bit different than the movie).

The story concerns author Paul Shelton (Jason Marr) who has decided to give up writing unfulfilling pulp romance novels for some serious stuff. He kills off his most popular character, Misery Chastain, in a final novel. But fate steps in, when Shelton has a near-fatal auto accident near the rural isolated home of Annie Wilkes (Sara Morsey) who happens to be his # I fan ! She saves his life, but then tortures him into bringing her favorite character back. Annie keeps Shelton as a prisoner while revealing her demented mind and checkered past - very checkered, with lots of bodies. Scenic designer Mihai Ciupe has created the old Colorado farmhouse complete with dusty and dirty skylight windows. The house is complete with a small kitchen, bathroom and loft bedroom for Annie. Lighting designer Robert Robins adds to the suspense with some spectacular lighting including a terrific lightning and thunderstorm. Credit sound designer Graham Johnson with eerie sound and music that reverberated against us during the scene changes.

 There are ten scenes in Act I and ten in Act II and those move quickly with blackouts lasting from short seconds to a minute or more. Costume designer Marilyn Wall-Asse has our two characters changing clothing to give us a sense of time passing. I can't help but compare it to the movie and in this play, the Shelton character does not seem. to be as intent on escaping but Annie has him very addicted to drugs. Likewise Annie seems crazier than in the movie.

Oh, be careful, keep your ankles tucked under the seat, you see Annie has this thing with feet.

Ms. Morsey and Mr. Marr are excellent in these demanding roles, and both are quite believable.

The Hippodrome program quotes a Daily Telegraph review of this Simon Moore adapted play: "To make an audience gasp and laugh at the same instant is quite an achievement." The Saturday afternoon audience 1 attended with did not laugh much and neither did I but 1 understand the opening night audience thought this play was a hoot-and-a-half. So 1 don't know if you will laugh or shutter, but I can tell you "Misery" is the most intense play I have seen in many a moon.

If you are a Stephen King fan, this is a must see. If you like outstanding acting, with definitive direction (thank you, Lauren Caldwell), you will love this show. The technical and special effects are outstanding as well.
 

"Misery" will be on stage until November 11th.  I recommend you check out the Saturday or Sunday matinees. You can call the box office at 1-352-375-4477 or visit their website at http://hipp.gator.net. The Hippodrome is located in downtown Gainesville at 25 SE 2nd Place, with plenty of nearby restaurants to suit every pocketbook and palate.