Based on a novel by Stephen King, MISERY was originally penned by Simon Moore in 1987. In 1990, the play was adapted to film by William Goldman, who also authored six later versions of the play. MISERY premiered in London in 1992 but did not make its U.S. debut until 2012. In 2024, The Kentwood Players are proud to present playwright Goldman’s adaptation – opening on Friday the 13th and getting everyone primed for Halloween.
Andrew Chorbi and Juanita Guzman – Photo by Gloria Ramirez Plunkett
The time is the winter of 1987, and the place is a small farm near Silver Creek Lodge, Colorado. Well-known romance novelist Paul Sheldon (Aaron Frank) has come to Colorado to finish his latest novel, something a little different from the MISERY series about the adventures of a woman named Misery which brought him fame and fortune. Now he is ready to return to civilization with his completed manuscript in hand. But, as fate would have it, he departs in a turbulent snow storm and has a terrible accident which should have left him dead – but didn’t. He is rescued by Annie Wilkes (Juanita Guzman), a nurse who lives on a small farm nearby. He awakens to find himself with two broken legs and a dislocated shoulder in Annie’s house. What good luck for Paul – but is it?
Juanita Guzman and Aaron Frank – Photo by Gloria Ramirez Plunkett
As suspense slowly builds, Paul finds himself a virtual prisoner to his unpredictable, unnerving, and unhinged “Number One Fan,” who has decided that he must destroy his just completed novel and write another novel about the fictional Misery – even if he has to resurrect her from the dead. To make matters worse, it seems that no one knows that he’s alive – and even the FBI has determined that he died in the crash and was probably eaten by forest predators. In a truly Stephen King spine-tingling tale, there doesn’t seem to be a way out of this terrible – and probably fatal – predicament.
Aaron Frank and Juanita Guzman – Photo by Gloria Ramirez Plunkett
MISERY features Annie and Paul, the two main characters, and Sheriff Buster (Andrew Chorbi), who’s doing some investigating and begins to smell a rat. All three cast members do a superb job of portraying three people who find themselves dancing around each other as each tries to discern what the other is thinking. MISERY is thoughtfully and skillfully helmed by Kathy Dershimer, who keeps the thriller slowly and inexorably moving to its fateful conclusion.
Aaron Frank – Photo by Gloria Ramirez Plunkett
As it turns out, there is a fourth “character” who lends a spooky and very scary aspect to the goings-on in Annie’s house. Kudos to Dershimer as set designer, George Kondreck as master builder, and the construction and stage crews who pull off the creation of a fascinating multi-room farmhouse by letting the walls move to and fro to give the audience a peek at the rest of the house, inside and out. The long, eerie hallway should send shivers up and down the audience’s spine. Fans of the scary will love this show as the intense cat-and-mouse game keeps everyone riveted and almost afraid to breathe.
Juanita Guzman and Aaron Frank – Photo by Gloria Ramirez Plunkett
MISERY runs through October 5, 2024, with performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays (Saturday matinees added 9/21 to end of run) and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. The Kentwood Players perform at the Westchester Playhouse located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Tickets are $25 (seniors and students $21). For information and reservations, call 310-645-5156, bo*******@ke*************.org “>email the box office, or go online.
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