Photo by Joan Marcus
This week's #SOTW is perhaps an unexpected choice as reviews have been less than favourable, but unlike the elite of New York critics, I believe the Broadway premiere of Misery, based on the popular Stephen King novel and adapted for the stage by William Goldman, would surely appeal to a certain demographic out there.
The Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures production will close on 14 February 2016 at the Broadhurst Theatre, so this is your last chance to see its stars - two-time Tony nominee and three-time Emmy winner Laurie Metcalf and Golden Globe and two-time Emmy winner Bruce Willis - live and in living (or dying) colour.
There are two main reasons to recommend this show, in my book. I did see the play early on in previews and at that time, there was a big difference in the energy being given on stage. The somewhat tranquilised performance of Willis amplified the much more theatrically appealing performance by his co-star Metcalf. I would even argue that Ms Metcalf's efforts should earn her a third Tony nomination at this year's ceremony. Taking on the iconic character of Annie Wilkes (famously portrayed by Kathy Bates in the 1990 film adaptation, which won her an Academy Award for Best Actress) is no mean feat, but Metcalf does a fantastic job of bringing her own interpretation to the role, rather than mimicking Bates. Audience members reacted differently to the Broadway 'thriller'. Some laughed at times - perhaps nervously, perhaps not - whilst I looked around and seriously wondered if I had missed the joke. But however, they reacted to Metcalf's performance, they were undoubtedly captivated by it.
I hope too that Mr Willis has grown as a stage performer over the past couple of months. By gathering experience in front of a live audience, you quickly learn the difference between that and performing to a camera lens inches away from your face. You learn the necessity to fill an auditorium with you voice and your emotions and it would certainly be intriguing to witness Willis' journey during his Broadway debut.
The second reason to see 'Misery' is the fantastic, rotating set by scenic designer David Korins. We feel confined and claustrophobic (as does the character of Paul Sheldon) and yet we are effortlessly given the voyeuristic freedom of following Paul and Annie as they move between the four different spaces. The landing, the hallway and stairs, the kitchen and of course, the bedroom, in which Paul is held captive, are all fitted with the dual purpose of appearing like the completely harmless dwellings of a middle-aged, Christian lady, and at the same time, with the use of David Weiner's atmospheric lighting, they eerily appear full of suspense and foreboding.
I believe this production appeals to those out there who embrace cult shows. Another Stephen King stage adaptation - Carrie The Musical - garnered a substantial cult following, despite its lack of critical or commercial success. In a similar fashion, perhaps we haven't seen the last of Annie Wilkes obsessive and psychotic antics after all?
Oh, and did I mention, the iconic sledgehammer scene alone is enough to make your toes curl!
Click here for tickets to Misery, which is booking through to 14 February 2016 at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre.
Photo by Joan Marcus Laurie Metcalf & Bruce Willis in Misery More production photosOriginally published on