Laurie Metcalf replaces Elizabeth Marvel in Misery

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures have officially announced that three-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Tony Award nominee Laurie Metcalf has replaced Obie Award winner Elizabeth Marvel in the stage adaptation of Stephen King's thriller Misery due to scheduling conflicts. The 'Roseanne' actress will star alongside Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Bruce Willis, who will be making his Broadway debut.

Theatre and dates have also now been announced. Misery will begin previews at the Broadhurst Theatre on 22 October 2015, before an official opening on 15 November, and will play a strictly limited sixteen week engagement.

Misery is written for the stage by Academy Award winner William Goldman, and directed by Will Frears.

Synopsis: "Successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon (Willis) is rescued from a car crash by his 'Number One Fan,' Annie Wilkes (Marvel), and wakes up captive in her secluded home. While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads the manuscript to 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 if he does not make her deadline, it will."

The world premiere of Miserywas staged at Bucks County Playhouse in Fall 2012.

The creative team for Misery features scenic design by David Korins, costumes by Oscar and Tony Award winner Ann Roth, lighting by David Weiner and sound design by Tony Award winner Darron West.

Misery is produced on Broadway by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures (Mark Kaufman), Castle Rock Entertainment (Martin Shafer & Liz Glotzer) and Raymond Wu.

Stephen King's novel was first published in June 1987, with a film adaptation following in 1990. The movie was directed by Rob Reiner and starred James Caan and Kathy Bates, with the latter winning an Oscar and Golden Globefor Best Actress for her performance.

Bruce Willis won both a Golden Globe and Emmy Award for 'Moonlighting' in 1987. He also received a Golden Globe nomination for 'In Country' in 1990, and won a second Emmy Award for guest starring in 'Friends' in 2000. His movie career includes such box office hits as the 'Die Hard,' 'Sin City,' 'The Expendables,' and 'RED,' franchises, along with 'The Sixth Sense,' 'The Fifth Element,' 'Armageddon,' 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation ,' 'Looper,' 'Unbreakable,' 'The Whole Nine Yards,' 'Twelve Monkeys,' and 'Pulp Fiction.'

Laurie Metcalf earned Tony nominations for 'November' in 2008 and 'The Other Place' in 2013. She also appeared in the Broadway productions of 'Brighton Beach Memoirs' (2009) and 'My Thing Of Love' (1995). She is perhaps best known for her TV role as Jackie Harris on 'Roseanne' which earned her 3 Emmy Awards and 2 Golden Globe nominations.

- by Tom Millward