Laurie Metcalf to Star Opposite Bruce Willis in Warner Bros. Theatre Venture’s Broadway Production of “Misery”
(June 23, 2015 – New York, NY) – Producers Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures (Mark Kaufman), Castle Rock Entertainment (Martin Shafer, Liz Glotzer) and Raymond Wu announced today that three-time Emmy Award winner Laurie Metcalf will star as Annie Wilkes opposite two-time Emmy Award winner and Golden Globe Award winner Bruce Willis as Paul Sheldon in the new suspense thriller “Misery.”
Three-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Tony Award nominee Laurie Metcalf is an original member of the Steppenwolf Theatre. She was last seen on the New York stage in Lincoln Center’s production of Bruce Norris’ “Domesticated,” and in her Tony Award-nominated performance in Manhattan Theatre Club’s production of Sharr White’s “The Other Place.” She received three Emmy Awards for her work on the TV series “Roseanne,” stars in HBO’s “Getting On,” has a recurring role on “The Big Bang Theory,” and her films include “Desperately Seeking Susan,” “Leaving Las Vegas,” “Uncle Buck,” “JFK,” “International Affairs” and the “Toy Story” series.
Elizabeth Marvel, who had been previously announced for the role of Annie Wilkes, had to withdraw from the production due to scheduling conflicts. Marvel is a regular on the Netflix series “House of Cards.”
“Misery” begins performances Thursday, October 22, 2015, at Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre (235 W 44th Street), and officially opens on Sunday, November 15, 2015, in a strictly limited 16 week engagement.
Tickets for “Misery” will go on sale Monday, July 20, 2015, at Telecharge.com (212-239-6200).
The playing schedule for “Misery” is as follows: Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. Beginning Tuesday, November 17, 2015, the playing schedule is as follows: Tuesday through Thursday at 7pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. Please note: There will be no performances Sunday, October 25, 2015, and Thursday, November 26, 2015. There will be an additional performance Friday, November 27 at 2pm.
“Misery,” written by two-time Academy Award-winner William Goldman (“The Princess Bride,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”) who wrote the screenplay for the Academy Award-winning film and based on the acclaimed novel by Stephen King, is directed by Will Frears (“Omnium Gatherum”).
Successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon (Bruce Willis) is rescued from a car crash by his “Number One Fan,” Annie Wilkes (Laurie Metcalf), and wakes up captive in her secluded home. While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads the manuscript to his newest novel and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new “Misery” novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it, and if he does not make her deadline, it will.
“Misery” has scenic design by David Korins (“Motown”), costume design by Academy Award and Tony Award winner Ann Roth (“The Book of Mormon”), lighting design by David Weiner (“The Normal Heart”) and sound design by Tony Award winner Darron West (“Peter and the Starcatcher”).
William Goldman’s film adaptation of “Misery,” based on Stephen King’s celebrated novel, was directed by Rob Reiner and released in 1990, starring James Caan and Kathy Bates, who won an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for her performance as Annie Wilkes.
“Misery” made its world premiere at Bucks County Playhouse in the fall of 2012.
Please visit www.MiseryBroadway.com.