December 12, 2015 – A new play at The Shubert’s, Broadhurst Theatre, written by William Goldman (10/12/1931 – ), based on the Stephen King (9/21/1947 – ) novel, Directed by Will Frears. It is set in the winter of 1987 in rural Colorado. It runs for 1 1/2 hours without intermission. Opening November 15, 2015 and closing February 14, 2016

The story is that of a famous author – Paul Sheldon – who writes novels about a girl named Misery. His practice is to finish his writing at a hotel in Colorado to avoid distractions. One winter, as he finished a novel, he goes out for a drive, has an accident and is rescued by a woman – Annie Wilkes – who is a nurse and lives alone in a nearby cottage. At first he is greatly appreciative of her nursing, but this soon moves to an obsession as she is “his Number 1 Fan” and does all she can to keep him at her home. He soon realises that he is trapped in bed in the home and being in a remote location, no one is likely to help. Both conceive of various tactics, some psychological, some physical to torment the other. The cop periodically comes by to see if he is at the house. A study in deranged, yet on the surface logical people with emphasis on Annie.

The show is well done, excellent rotating set that shows the outside, bedroom and rest of the house on a rotating platform. Sheldon is mainly in bed and immobile, but Willis does a good job in maintaining the tension, but lacks believability in the movements of a man with broken legs. Laurie Metcalf manages to brilliantly transform from the caring nurse and fan, to the obsessed woman who gradually controls the man. A well staged production that was good, but could have been better with a seasoned Theatre Actor in the male role.

Paul Sheldon – Bruce Willis (Broadway Debut, 2 Emmy’s, 1 Golden Globe) does a remarkably good job, despite theatre not being his predominant media; and Annie Wilkes – Laurie Metcalf (The Other Place, Brighton Beach Memoirs, November, My Thing of Love, 3 Emmy’s), is brilliant in her portrayal of the nurse / stalker / homeowner. A third character Buster (the local cop) – Leon Addison Brown (Trip to Bountiful, On the Waterfront, Somone Who’ll watch over me, Prelude to a Kiss) plays a small role, but is adequate in his performance.

In Conclusion, a good evening in the theatre with a well put together story, a good set and good – brilliant acting.