Your Number One Fan

Misery

It’s the dead of winter in rural Colorado. A violent snowstorm has made roads practically impassable and communication almost impossible. Lying unconscious in the bed of a tiny, remote mountain cabin, a man fights for his life. His face, legs and entire body have been broken, bruised and bandaged. The man’s name is Paul Sheldon. He’s the famed author of, among other novels, a series of period page-turners about a female woman he calls Misery. 

Paul was just leaving his favorite mountain retreat, where he’d finished writing a brand new book, when his car went off the road. Paul crashed in the middle of nowhere, and would’ve died had not Annie Wilkes chanced upon the wreckage. Recognizing Paul Sheldon as her favorite author, Annie rescues him and, instead of bringing him to the hospital, takes him back to her remote cottage. There the former nurse painstakingly cares for the writer, tending to Paul’s injuries and ministering to his pain. After all, as Annie, continually tells Paul, “I’m your number one fan.” But she’s also turns into his prison warden, and the severely injured writer sees little hope of ever seeing freedom again. Misery now becomes Paul’s way of life, in more ways than one.

Just in time for Halloween, American Blues Theater is presenting this horrifying, tension-filled one-act drama. MISERY is almost relentless in its emotional terror. Adapted by the late, Highland Park-born screenwriter and playwright, William Goldman (“The Princess Bride,” “Magic,” “Marathon Man”) from Stephen King’s acclaimed psychological thriller, this riveting ninety-minute play grabs hold of the audience and never lets go until the very end. Frightening and filled with unrelenting anxiety and dread, talented and experienced Chicago Director Halena Kays has guided her three talented actors with a firm hand and a proven knowledge of how to present horror on stage. Ms. Kays has proven her gift for directing a tension-filled drama with American Blues Theater’s horrifying production of ON CLOVER ROAD as well as Neo Futurist’s exquisite, surrealistic ghost story, BURNING BLUEBEARD.

Her cast is immaculate. Skilled and savvy Ensemble member Wandachristine brings Annie Wilkes to life in this production, creating a character who’s a unique individual, all her own. While it might’ve been easier to simply watch and imitate the great Kathy Bates, in her Academy Award-winning film performance of the character, Wandachristine makes the role her own. She melds a combination of blind devotion for her favorite author, a dash of gentle rural hospitality, and a gritty, ruthless determination to get what she wants. This actress’ brilliant performance fuses simple honesty, bucolic humor and with unexpected raving psychotic personality shifts. Wandachristine is simply mesmerizing.

Steve Key, another talented Ensemble member of American Blues Theater, has been seen on a number of Chicago stages. Recently he appeared in Steppenwolf Theatre’s chilling production of BUG. Here he creates a learned man who, at first, is understandably docile, totally confused and severely physically injured. But as the play progresses we not only watch Paul Sheldon gradually heal but also grow into a desperate and determined captive. As Paul observes Annie’s professed love for him turn into uncontrolled rage, and then back again to sweetness, he realizes that he’s dealing with a psychopathic and dangerous woman. Being held prisoner against his will by Annie Wilkes, Paul knows that the only way he can survive this nightmare is to escape. But that’s far easier said than done.

The story is enhanced by a team of talented technical theatre artists. Shayna Patel has created a Scenic Design that looks very authentic. It’s a realistic rendition of a rural mountain cabin and allows us to see, both inside the two main rooms, as well as the exterior. We even watch as the seasons change, the snow melts and grass appears. The authentic 1980’s detail that dresses her set may be credited in part to Nicolas Bartleson’s superb Properties Design. Check out, for instance, the fine features on Paul Sheldon’s book jackets. Joe Court really adds a lot to this production with his wonderful Sound Design and Audio Supervision. From Annie’s collection of Liberace records to the ear-splitting crashes of thunder during a rainstorm, Mr. Court’s additions to this production are perfect. His work often augments the artistic Lighting Design created by Michael Trudeau. Watch for his incredible lightning effects, as well as the subtle way Mr. Trudeau fills the momentary scene changes by shifting our focus between the table lamps located around the set.

This is an absolutely superb production. As the suspense builds and the horror increases, theatergoers will find themselves chewing their fingernails and perched on the edge of their seats. Everyone will wonder if and how the severely injured author will survive and, hopefully, escape Annie Wilkes’ rural prison. Paul Sheldon’s “Number One Fan” turns out to also be his number one enemy. When the audience returns home from this production, the images of horror may continue to linger and give rise to a few bad dreams for some sleepless nights.                 

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 20-October 26 by American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-654-3103 or go to www.boxoffice@AmericanBluesTheater.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.