Hearing the phrase, “I’m your number one fan!” now sends chills down my spine.

“Misery” now playing its one week run at the Forestburgh Playhouse will evoke similar feelings and cause goose bumps for all who see it. Stephen King came out with the blockbuster novel in 1987. Hollywood put Kathy Bates and James Caan into the leading roles in 1990. In 2012, a stage version did a short opening stint at the Bucks County Playhouse in PA and eventually made it to Broadway in 2015 for a short run (straight plays rarely have long runs on Broadway).

The plot centers around an excessively obsessive fan of novel writer Paul Sheldon who holds him captive in her remote house after he suffers debilitating injuries in a car crash nearby. Retired nurse Annie Wilkes takes him in and tends to him in her home as he recovers, but soon reveals her own agenda as his number one fan.

The intimate atmosphere of the Forestburgh Playhouse makes “Misery” the perfect production to stage. One can’t help but feel that they are right there, trapped, in that bedroom with the crippled novelist. Every time the bedroom door swings open, we get that “Oh, oh!” feeling that Sheldon gets. We are just as bewildered as he is while we try to figure this woman out. And soon those trepidations turn to, “Oh my God, what’s coming next?”

“Misery’s” tech crew hits their marks in providing the mood needed to set the story. Sound Designer Michael Donahue’s well executed background sounds and music are complimented by Megan E. O’Brien’s lighting design that sweeps up through days and nights, days and weeks, storms and sunny mornings. But Reiko Hoffman’s set is what drops us right into that remote setting with no one around at all. The quaint bedroom and clever hall/doors in and out of the house kept the house intimate, personal and up close and I was sitting in the back of the theater. Director Amy Griffin has the daunting task of keeping this two character play interesting (there is a small role of the sheriff as well). Her blocking works wonders and keeps the action of the play compelling and yes, frightening. 

This show is one of those productions that can be difficult for the stars to shine when pros like James Caan and Academy Award winner for the role Kathy Bates have set the bar. But Scott Langdon as Paul Sheldon and Lanene Charters as Annie Wilkes pull off fantastic performances that are clearly their own. Neither performer attempts to imitate the film actors and thus they both came up with solid, unique portrayals that are true to the Stephen King creations. 

“Misery” is a dilemma. It’s a “What would you do?’ thinker. It’s a bit creepy. What would you expect with Stephen King? But it is also a thriller. Just be sure you know where the nearest exit is!!!

“Misery” will run through September 3. Tickets and info are available through the box office at (845) 794-1194 or online at fbplayhouse.org.