Actor Laurie Metcalf boasts a long, robust career, but this fall will mark only her second foray into horror. Following her turn as the vengeful Debbie Salt (aka Mrs. Loomis) in Scream 2, Metcalf will take over for Elizabeth Marvel in the upcoming stage adaptation of Stephen Kings Misery.
Directed by Will Frears, the limited 16-week engagement begins previews Oct. 22 and opens Nov. 15 at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City. The new play has a script by Academy Award winner William Goldman, based on King’s novel. Bruce Willis plays author Jack Sheldon, while Metcalf (pictured top for Broadway production, “The Other Place”) will play the infamous Annie Wilkes.
In the production, “Successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon (Bruce 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.”
Goldmans adaptation initially went up at Pennsylvanias Bucks County Playhouse in 2012. Misery was of course taken to film by Rob Reiner in the 1990 film of the same name, starring Kathy Bates and James Caan. Bates won an Oscar for her turn.
