Misery
by Stephen King, Adapted by William Goldman
Directed by John Contini
November 7, 2026
William Roth, Jenny Smith
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Stephen King’s Misery is a well-known psychological thriller made all the more famous by the 1990 film. The screenwriter for the film, William Goldman, has adapted the story into a stage play that debuted on Broadway in 2015, and is now being staged at St. Louis Actors’ Studio under the direction of John Contini. Featuring a strong cast and inventive staging that enhances the mood and sense of suspense, this production is, for the most part, an excellent evocation of the creepy sense of terror that the story demands.
The story will be familiar to anyone who has read the book or seen the movie. Celebrated novelist Paul Sheldon (William Roth)–known for his best-selling “Misery Chastain” novels–has been seriously injured in a car accident in a remote area of Colorado. He has been “rescued” by Annie Wilkes (Jenny Smith), his self-proclaimed “Number One Fan” who is obsessed with the Misery books and, at first, treats Paul like something of a superhero or royalty. Soon, however, her controlling tendencies reveal themselves, and as Paul informs her that a new Misery novel is soon to be released, Annie is eager to read it, but Paul is hesitant because he knows she probably won’t like how it ends. He has also written a new, non-Misery novel, that he lets Annie read, and she isn’t entirely pleased with that either, to say the least. As time passes, the sense of terror and anticipation grows as we see Annie’s continued obsession and control, as well as Paul’s carefully calculated efforts to escape, along with occasional visits from the local sheriff, Buster (Kurt Knoedelseder), who “informs” Annie of Paul’s disappearance and the efforts to find him. Again, if you’ve read the book or seen the film, you know how it turns out, but I won’t tell you here. The build-up and resolution is largely dependent on the sense of discovery.
The actors are excellent, particularly STLAS veterans Roth and Smith, whose interactions as the injured and increasingly suspicious and determined Paul and the obsessively devoted Annie form the core of this production. Smith in particular excels in her initially friendly-seeming portrayal that gradually reveals the instability simmering beneath the surface, and eventually the menacing terror that’s been there all along. Roth makes a believable protagonist, and his efforts to find a way of escape are engaging and convincing. Knoedelseder also has strong moments in a smaller role as Sheriff Buster, whose scenes with Annie grow all the more silently menacing as the story goes on.
One notable feature of this production is how the set in particular adds to the drama. The inventive scenic design by Josh Ortega, which features a manually operated turntable, contributes much to the sense of suspense as the story plays out, as Paul looks to discover Annie’s house will reveal, and the audience discovers along with him. The lighting by Dalton Costick and sound by John Contini also contribute to building sense of foreboding as the plot unfolds. There are also impressive costumes and props by Jenny Smith. The fight choreography by Shaun Sheley is also impressive, for the most part, although there are a few moments that seem artificial. The pacing is brisk and well-coordinated with the technical elements to contribute to the overall creepy tone of the story.
Overall, while this Misery doesn’t freak me out as much as the film did when I first watched it on VHS tape in the early 1990s, Actors’ Studio has brought a believably suspenseful, compelling story to the stage. The actors and that impressive set add much to the mood and theatricality of the piece. It’s another strong showing for STLAS.
Jenny Smith, Kurt Knoedelseder
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
St. Louis Actors’ Studio is presenting Misery at the Gaslight Theater until November 22, 2026