Move over Kathy Bates, Williams Lake's Jenny McPhee is coming to steal the show.
Williams Lake Studio Theatre Society (WLST) opens their production of Misery this week, and for those who remember the Kathy Bates performance in the film version, this stage production also boasts a fantastic depiction of a super-creepy "number one fan."
The William Goldman play, based on the novel by Stephen King, is a psychological thriller exploring some dark parts of the human psyche including "superfan" obsession.
In the story, novelist Paul Sheldon, played by Matt Tyne, is held captive by his number one fan Annie Wilkes.
McPhee is absolutely stunning as the disturbed Wilkes, who both loves Sheldon while also loathing some things he does or anything she deems too impure.
Directed by Shane Tollefson, the choice was a natural fit for his fifth play as a director at WLST.
Tollefson said he likes how the story captured in Misery warns us of the dangers of untreated mental illness and draws attention to mental health issues in general.
"I'm a Generation X so I read Stephen King way too young," laughs Tollefson, who said he's loved the author ever since.
He said Misery is in his top five favourite King novels.
"If there's ever a stage version of It, I'm there," he said.
Tollefson references his own struggles with mental wellness and points out May is Mental Health month in the play's program, offering up the play as an opportunity to engage in conversations around mental wellness.
Annie Wilkes, in author Stephen King's admission, represents his own addiction to cocaine, calling the drug his "number one fan" in an interview with Rolling Stone. The drug both tortured and comforted King in equal measure.
The three-person play, including Brad Lawryk as Sheriff Buster, also takes place on a set built by Jamie Rieger. It appears Rieger's skills on stage are matched by his skills in building a stage, as the production relies heavily on the stage design.
Misery runs April 30-May 3, May 7-10, May 14-17, 2025 with doors open at 7 p.m. and curtain at 7:30 p.m. on the Michael Rawluk Stage located at 4100 Mackenzie Avenue North.
Tickets are available online at wlstudiotheatre.ca, or at The Open Book, and are $25 for adults and $22 for students and seniors. The play contains adult content and scenes of violence.
Misery is the final performance in the WLST 70th season with next season's lineup to include Murder on the Orient Express, The Sound of Music, Escaped Alone, and The Book of Will.
Murder on the Orient Express, on stage October 29 - November 15 is looking for help with lights, sound, costumes and props on the future production. Message Claire Bertoli at claire.bertoli@gmail.com to find out more.
