Misery
By William Goldman, adapted from the novel by Stephen King
Directed by Paul J. Potenza
Mar. 17 – Apr. 9, 2023
Thu. – Sat. 8:00 pm, Sun. 4:00 pm, Wed. 7:30 pm
Preview Performances: Mar. 15 – 16
Shimberg Playhouse, Straz Center
What It’s About
True life becomes stranger than fiction when acclaimed romance novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued from a wintery car crash by his “number one fan,” seemingly-kind nurse Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home. While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads his latest book and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new novel, but he realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it – and it does. .
Jobsite has adapted literature, specifically horror, for decades. One could rightly claim these productions have helped define our aesthetic. From comic send-ups of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to cult-hits by Clive Barker, it’s difficult to find a Jobsite season without literary spookums. Audiences continue to vote with their feet to let us know this is the content they are here for! This production is particularly important for Jobsite in this recovery season, as it serves as a major fundraiser: all principal actor and director salaries are being donated back to the company.
We’re not a “number one fan” of offering disclaimers, but be advised this thriller features a psychopathic bibliophile whose weapons of choice include prescription drugs, soapy water, a ream of erasable typing paper, and a sledgehammer, and a captive victim who — quite understandably — uses very strong adult language.
There are no lulls in famed screenwriter William Goldman’s 90-minute stage adaptation of the Stephen King story, which Goldman himself translated into the 1990 film … [it moves] faster than snow piling up in a Colorado blizzard.
About the Writers
William Goldman (Playwright, 1931 – 2018) was one of the most influential and successful writers of his generation. Film credits include Masquerade, Harper, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Stepford Wives, All the President’s Men, The Princess Bride (based on his novel of the same name), Last Action Hero, The General’s Daughter, Marathon Man (based on his novel of the same name) and many, many others. He co-wrote two plays with brother James Goldman: Blood, Sweat, and Stanley Poole and A Family Affair. As a novelist, Goldman has penned several American classics including but not limited to Soldier in the Rain (1960), Father’s Day (1971), Magic (1976), The Color of Light (1984) and The Silent Gondoliers (1984). He has also written many articles for acclaimed publications on the topic of screenwriting and several non-fiction books, including The Season: A Candid Look at Broadway (1969) and Adventures in the Screentrade: A Personal View of Hollywood and Screenwriting (1983). Awards include Academy Award, Writers Guild Award and British Academy Award, for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, 1969; Academy Award and Writers Guild Award, for All the President’s Men, 1976. Education: Oberlin College, Ohio, B.A. 1952; Columbia University, New York, M.A. 1956.
Stephen King (Author) was born in Portland, Maine, in 1947, the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. He made his first professional short story sale in 1967 to Startling Mystery Stories. In the fall of 1971, he began teaching high school English classes at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels. In the spring of 1973, Doubleday & Co. accepted the novel Carrie for publication, providing him the means to leave teaching and write full-time. He has since published over 50 books and has become one of the world’s most successful writers. King is the recipient of the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to the American Letters and the 2014 National Medal of Arts. Stephen lives in Maine and Florida with his wife, novelist Tabitha King. They are regular contributors to a number of charities including many libraries and have been honored locally for their philanthropic activities.
Media
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Prize Drawings on April 25 during our Giving Challenge
Make a donation during our Giving Challenge on April 25 and be entered to win some pretty cool stuff!
April 25 is our Giving Challenge!
April 25 is our annual Giving Challenge! We have a $35,000 goal — however an angel donor has provided a 50% match, leaving us $17,500 to raise from the public!
MISERY stars on the Arts Alive Podcast
MISERY stars Summer Bohnenkamp and David M. Jenkins talk MISERY and the state of the arts in Tampa during the St. Pete Catalyst’s Arts Alive Podcast.
MISERY review in Creative Loafing
“MISERY is a rollicking production that welcomes your nostalgia and then upends your expectations, making the familiar feel fresh and new, thanks in large part to Bohnenkamp and Jenkins’ enormous talent”
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Cast & Crew
- Paul J. Potenza – Director
- Emily Belvo – Assistant Director
Cast
- Summer Bohnenkamp – Annie Wilkes
- Josh Goff – Sheriff Buster
- David M. Jenkins – Paul Sheldon
Crew
- Jessie Dorsey – Stage Manager
- Connor Averill-Snell – Assistant Stage Manager
- Brian Smallheer – Scenic Designer, Technical Director
- Jo Averill-Snell – Lighting Designer
- Max Allen, James Swallow – Electricians
- Teah Banks – Properties
- Jeremy Douglass – Composer
- Brianna McVaugh – Fight Director
- Sofia Isabella Pickford – Assistant Stage Manager
- Roz Potenza – Costume Designer
- Julia Rifino – Scenic Artist
Patron Reviews
- My jaw was on the floor at so many points throughout the show - absolutely gripping. Summer played the role of Annie Wilkes to perfection - even better if that is possible. I could not pull my eyes from her … the whole layout, was masterful - you really have to accomplish quite a bit in such a tiny space - but that is your mastery at work ... I had to chuckle because the fella sitting next to me kept dropping his program with each shocking scene. – Stephanie Arthur-Tannenbaum, PhD
- Great show last night! The company must be so excited about the level of community support this year, and we’re glad to be part. – Michael Brooks
- Brilliant; adjective 1. shining brightly; sparkling; glittering; lustrous: 2. distinguished; illustrious: 3. having or showing great intelligence, talent, quality, etc. 4.strong and clear in tone; vivid; bright: 5. splendid or magnificent: I can not think of a more perfect word and example of last night’s performance. The onstage chemistry between Summer (Annie) and David (Paul) was palpable They had me, and the rest of the audience, on the edge of our seats from beginning to end. Yes and I do want to apologize for my loudly, audible yelp at one dramatic point in the show. 🤷♀️ I also want to give a shoutout to the light and sound people as well as to the back stage “ninjas”. Your timing was masterly done and in no small part added to the intensity and perfection of the show. Bravo Jobsite! BRAVO! 🎭 -SusanneDockery
- I just saw this and it was phenomenal loved this performance and was on the edge of my seat. – @elyssa_thecreativbespark
- It was fantastic! The actors were brilliant. – Tanya Abresch
- This show is incredible! – Shelley Provost
- Fantastic!!!! Best show I’ve seen in a long time – Eileen Stafford
- Great job! – Sharon Smallheer
- We saw it last night… every moment from the beginning to the end was and edge-of-my-seat thriller … spectacular show with top notch acting. Thoroughly enjoyed the program - bravo! 👏👏👏👏👏 – StephanieArthur-Tannenbaum
- A must see performance! – Daniel Forthuber
- This was excellent! The actress who plays Annie played crazy well! I am so glad I saw this production. – Joshua Jones
- It was AMAZING!! Kudos Jobsite for the incredible talent! – Pamela Surovich
- Fantastic show! The acting was memorable – Leslie Farrell
- Totally incredible show! – Dona Haag
- Awesome show! – Michael Douglas
- INCREDIBLE SHOW! 👏 – @thelittlegoodcyberfriend
- Very impressive cast. Captured the spirit without simply copying the film. – @kiss_j_haards_converse
- A true team effort for this fantastic performance. Kudos to you all! – Isaias Gonzalez
