Hide the sledgehammer...the previously reported stage adaptation of Stephen King’s psychological thriller Misery has found its stars in Tony nominee Johanna Day and Daniel Gerroll. The duo will headline the production at Bucks County Playhouse in Pennsylvania, which will play 11 performances only from November 24 through December 8.
Directed by Will Frears and adaptated by William Goldman, the developmental engagement will also James DeMarse. The play tells the story of novelist Paul Sheldon (Gerroll), as he makes the difficult transition from writing his popular historical romance series (featuring a heroine named Misery Chastain) to publishing literary fiction. Annie Wilkes (Day), Sheldon's number one fan, rescues the author from the scene of a car accident during a storm. The former nurse takes care of him in her remote house, but becomes irate when she discovers that the author has killed Misery off in his latest book. Annie keeps Sheldon prisoner while forcing him to write a book that brings Misery back to life. In 1990, King’s novel was adapted for the screen, starring James Caan as Sheldon and Kathy Bates in an Oscar-winning performance as Wilkes.
Day received a Tony nomination for her performance as Claire in the Broadway production of Proof. Her off-Broadway credits include Middletown, Oliver Parker!, Almost an Evening, Peter and Jerry, Satellites, Bliss, Helen, Once in a Lifetime, How I Learned to Drive, Blue Window and 3 Postcards. Gerroll has appeared on Broadway in Enchanted April, High Society, The Homecoming and Plenty. DeMarse appeared in the original Broadway production of Dividing The Estate