16 weeks only. A must see! Wow, that was terrific!
As I had seen the movie so many years ago I had almost forgotten the actual storyline. I have also never read the book so this incarnation of Misery was pretty brand new to me. As a three character play spanning over 90 minutes I was enthralled for the whole ride. We were lucky enough to have been invited to see this while still in previews. The perks of living in NYC, being a blogger, and Yelp member. Comp tickets for the win! The night we were there it was a full house, and I can gather it will be for every future performance.
Bruce Willis is, well, Bruce Willis. He just has that “it factor” and knows how to milk a roll whether it be dramatic, action, or humorous. He has a knack for ironic comic timing and did quite well portraying Paul Sheldon. The dude is a star.
Yet, the real shining star of Misery is Laurie Metcalf. She basically steals the show and almost every scene she is in. As a multiple stage and screen award winner she basically embodies the psychotic character of Annie Wilkes to a T. It is fascinating to watch her go deeper and darker into crazy obsession as the play progresses. She is a fantastic and underrated talent.
I’m a fan of dark humor and this did not disappoint. As a story with such bleak overtones there was a lot of humor spread throughout. One of the best moments was not even planned such as when Bruce had a prop malfunction with his wheelchair during a pivotal scene, and then another one in succession. The way both actors handled it as if it was a natural flow and never breaking character was amazingly funny. They earned a riotous round of applause for that moment! It was live stage magic!
Most everyone knows the story here, so lets just say there was one major scene everyone was waiting for that did not disappoint. Ankles – OUCH! There was another that also involved Sheriff Buster that “blew us and him away”! Not going to describe every scene so as to give it all away. What I suggest when seeing this is to judge it on its own merits and not compare it to the book and/or movie. Might be hard but that is the fair way in my opinion. Each are very different.
Also, the stage set was inventive as the rooms and outside setting of Annie’s house rotated in a circle. As some scenes moved to another room, it was a unique way to view it as if watching a movie being made and panning from shot to shot. Bedroom, to front porch, to front door hallway, to kitchen. Very entertaining. Sitting in the orchestra section close to the stage made for a wonderful viewpoint. It was like having the director sitting close by and orchestrating the scenes.
We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed this performance. The power of live theater never ceases to amaze me!
As Annie kept creepily proclaiming – “I’m your number one fan”!
Misery – http://www.miserybroadway.com/
Hi Phil, Great review. The play looks fantastic, as well as the characters and set. Bet it was interesting seeing Bruce Willis on Broadway, and Laurie Metcalf sounds like a real talent from how you described her. Thanks for sharing the happening, or should I say, the Misery.
Hey Peggy!
I am usually suspect when it comes to tv and movie stars all of a sudden doing Broadway but this was terrific. Laurie Metcalf has stage experience and she does great, and Bruce was equally good for a newbie on Broadway. Good stuff.
Boy, sounds fabulous. What a ride.
Hey Cassandra!
One of the perks of living in NYC is to see performances such as this. Very cool.
Theater is one of the things I miss the most about being so far from NY now. This sounds like a play well worth seeing, even if the story does make me cringe.
Hey Karen!
It’s definitely dark humor. Great show. Yes, NYC living does offer up some great entertainment!
Misery as in the Stephen King novel? I read that one many years ago, when I was really too young to read stuff like that. I don’t remember much of it though, but it’s something about an author, a car accident and a freaky fan-girl nurse right? Would have loved to see the show:)
Hey Mitzie!
Yes, Steven King himself. Pretty much you just described it. Was cool seeing it performed on stage.
Thanks for the review! I definitely want to see this one. I did hear that Laurie Metcalf does a bang up job! 😉
Hey Coleen!
Laurie was terrific. I was wondering how she would do stepping into the role played by Kathy Bates in the movie. She nailed it pretty well.
I would love to see that!! That’s why I love reading your blog because I live vicariously through you in NYC. So lucky!
I loved the book and I can only imagine seeing it live on Broadway. Awesome!
Hey Holli!
The movie, book, and stage play are all so different but also similar at the same time. Those who read the book clain it’s actually more gruesome what she does to him. Even so, the play was solid and a fun to see.
Wow, I miss those just because you live in NYC perks and I’ve only been gone two months! Sixteen week seems to short for a show this good. Maybe it’ll be extended!
http://www.whatdevondiscovered.com
Hey Devon!
Thanks for dropping by and commenting. Yeah, even though it’s expensive here living in NYC does offer up some cool stuff. 16 weeks only for now but we’ll see.