"Misery" at Yellow Tree Theatre

Yellow Tree Theatre is remounting their 2023 production of Misery, but with an all new cast, and it's just as thrilling as before! The stage adaptation of Stephen King's 1987 novel is relatively new, written by William Goldman, screenwriter of the 1990 movie. This story of a popular novelist's "number one fan" and the lengths she goes to is set in 1987, but it's themes of unhealthy obsession, mental illness, and violence are very timely. As returning director John Catron says in a note in the program, "This is not a story about monsters. This is a story about people pushed to their narrative breaking points. It's a sloppy beautiful mess of love, insecurity, fanaticism, co-dependence and addition. It's a story about the violence that is all around us and within us. If it's 1987. If it's 2025." What follows is my review of the 2023 production, updated to reflect the new cast, who absolutely make this worth seeing again. Or if you missed it last time, this is your chance to enjoy this tight thriller on Yellow Tree's cozy and intimate stage (continuing through October 19).

"Misery" at Lakeshore Players Theatre

Lakeshore Players Theatre's 72nd season is taking a sharp turn from a lovely new adaptation of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol to another classic, this one of the dark thriller variety. So buckle up for a deliciously creepy and suspenseful ride through Misery. Stephen King's 1987 novel about an obsessive fan was adapted into the popular 1990 movie, for which Kathy Bates won an Oscar. It was adapted into a play (by original screenwriter William Goldman) just ten years ago or so. I wasn't that familiar with the details of the story when I saw Yellow Tree Theatre's production a couple years ago* so it was chock full of surprise moments. But even now being a little more familiar with it, I found Lakeshore Players Theatre's production to be thoroughly enjoyable. The set is really cool, and the whole package of the design elements creates a suspenseful tension-filled atmosphere that makes the great work of this trio of actors even better. Head to beautiful downtown White Bear Lake for a production of the classic Misery that is anything but.

"Misery" at Yellow Tree Theatre

If you're looking for an on-stage delicious thriller, that's creepy but also funny at times, and beautifully acted, look no further than Misery currently playing at Yellow Tree Theatre's cozy Osseo theater. Stephen King's 1987 novel was adapted into the popular 1990 movie, for which Kathy Bates won an Oscar. It was adapted into a play (by original screenwriter William Goldman) just ten years ago or so. It's been a long time since I've seen the movie and I don't think I ever read the book, but I knew the general gist of the story. Still, I was delightfully surprised at some of the twists and turns in the play. The tension in Yellow Tree's intimate space is palpable, and the excellent cast and creative team handily take us on this terrifying (but also fun) journey.