Lake and Minden theatre companies present ‘Misery’

Carson Valley must be “Misery’s” No. 1 fan, because 34 years after scenes were filmed in Genoa, it returns this time to the stage in Minden at the CVIC Hall just in time for Halloween.

Presented by Black Ice Theatre in partnership with the Carson Valley Community Theatre, “Misery” is based on the novel by Steven King which follows romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash by his “No. 1 fan,” Annie Wilkes.

The thriller quickly takes a turn when Paul wakes up captive in Annie’s secluded home. After finding out that he kills off her favorite character, Misery Chastain, Annie becomes enraged and Paul finds himself writing as if his life depends on it; which it does.

Play Director Andrea Rogers from Black Ice Theatre said her goal is to make the audience put aside the 1990 film and to expect more than the iconic scenes.

“I don’t want people to expect that one scene or any other from the movie, I want them to experience the other pieces that makes the story iconic,” said Rogers.

The stage adaption focuses around three of the original characters with Gardnerville resident Dave Anderson as Buster the Sheriff and South Lake Tahoe resident Shelly McCarty and Joe Herald from Zephyr Cove portraying Annie and Paul.

“I told my actors from this day forward they are banned from watching the film,” Rogers said. “I wanted them to make the characters their own. I don’t want to hear Kathy Bates and James Caan, I want to hear Shelly and Joe.”

Aside from rooting for Paul’s escape, the cast and crew hope the audience feel something for Annie, who clearly suffers from a mental disability, according to McCarty.

“As a marriage and family therapist by trade, I would describe her as schizophrenic,” said McCarty. “She is also intelligent and a schemer, but she’s this beautiful dark soul and we hope people leave feeling some empathy for her because she really is this sad person.”

“Misery” opens 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at the CVIC Hall with shows 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturdays through Nov. 2 and matinees at 2 p.m. Oct. 27, Nov. 2, and Nov. 3. A special Halloween donation performance will be shown 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.  Misery contains strong language and adult themes. Viewer discretion is advised.

Assistant director and Tahoe resident Branden McCarthy said Black Ice Theatre, which is based in South Lake Tahoe, is known for their darker productions especially during the fall season.

“We like to do horror and put on a stage version of a story people are familiar with,” he said,

In the past the theatre has put on “Hangtown,” “Radium Girls,” and “The House on Haunted Hill.”  Visit www.blackicetheatreco.com for more information.

Tickets for “Misery” can be purchased from www.carsonvalleycommunitytheatre.org or the call the box office at 782-6622.