Stephen’s King frightening tale of an obsessed fan, MISERY, comes to life this weekend at the PNC Arts Annex. TheatreLab‘s deep dive into the novel looks eerie, and excellent. I was lucky enough to catch up with the show’s director, Allie Haines. She gave me the lowdown, on this blood-curdling ride through the mind of a psychopath….the notorious Annie Wilkes.
JS: Hi Allie….so good to see you. So, tell me this, Why Misery??
AH: Hi Josh…yes, TheatreLab has a history of success presenting shows around the Halloween season and we’ve been wanting to introduce plays into our offerings, so Misery felt like a no brainer. The story feels timeless and relevant with its issues of fame, obsession, and addiction and we wanted to give the audience an immersive, voyeuristic view inside of this nightmare.
JS: It’s a story so many know…and love, especially the film. Are there parallels?
AH: Quite similar, actually! You can expect the same thrilling ride, with our own compelling twists and turns throughout. Complete with sledgehammer!
JS: Yay, the sledgehammer. (For those of you unfamiliar, you will appreciate the loyalty to the story King wrote. Let’s juist say, some of the props are stars as well.) Thinking in terms of stars, there is a lot of talk about this cast. What can you share with us?
AH: These actors. Phew!!! Every night they surprise us, make us laugh, gasp in horror and send chills down our spines. Naman Clark plays a suave and confident Sheriff Buster, Kaleb Smith enters the chat as the sarcastic and endearing famous author Paul Sheldon, and Adelyn Helms embodies our Annie Wilkes with a mastery that’s at once both enchanting and terrifying. They are a truly phenomenal cast that must be seen to be believed, bringing these classic characters to life – for a new generation of Misery devotees.
JS: I’m a devotee. I think about some of those scenes, and find myself rooting for Annie….sick as that is! It’s just got so much energy in the show…all over the place energy. I know people are dying to get tickets….what are the dates/times?
AH: 4. One weekend only! November 2-4th. Link for tickets is right here: https://www.daytonlive.org/
JS: There are also rumors about TheatreLab using their own space for upcoming performances. The previews for Misery were a hit….from the sinister elevator ride, to the immersive performances. Whats the story with all of that?
AH:5. Our rehearsal space on Jefferson St really lends itself to performance and experiential opportunities and opening up our final rehearsals of Misery to the public and transforming our space into a version of the show felt like the beginnings of a new direction for TLD. Up next, [title of show] will be playing in our space and our wheels are already turning with ideas for more intimate, immersive, and one of a kind theatrical experiences.
JS: YAY! Smart! Ok, so, with all the word on theaters around the country facing tough times….how can Dayton get involved in TLD. Are there opportunities to support beyond tickets?
AH: We believe live theater and telling these stories on stage cultivates empathy, connection and hope in our beautiful, yet fractured world. Art is essential. We need your support to continue this crucial work, to compensate local artists and spark deep conversations about the human experience. You can get involved in so many ways! Visit our website and contact us if you’d like to volunteer or donate (we accept Venmo, PayPal, and good ol fashioned checks and cash!). You truly are our best advocates! If you come to our show and enjoyed it – spread the word online and to your friends! You make a huge difference in allowing The Lab to continue to INVOLVE, INNOVATE and INSPIRE! Thank you!
JS: Ummmmm…..that was like a practiced speech Alle….but I get it. Best of luck with Misery, and for the season itself. And thank you!
AH: See you at the show….Thanks Josh.
