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MISERY
Project type
ACTING
This psychological thriller based on Stephen King’s novel Misery follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash and wakes up captive in a secluded home owned by his self-identified “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes. While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads the manuscript of 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 Misery novel and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it – and it does.
Director: Morag Shepherd
Stage Manager: Nicole Lopez
Lighting Design: Savannah Garlick
Costumes: Andrea Davenport
Intimacy and Stage Combat: Varlo Davenport
Makeup: Varlo and Andrea Davenport
Paul: Tyson Baker
Annie: Stephanie Stroud
Buster: Alvaro Cortez
Produced by Lil Poppet Productions and Immigrant's Daughter
Promotional Photos by Ashley Thalman
Poster Design by Mitch Shepherd
Date
2024
Location
Dolores Doré Eccles Ceramic Center, Westmintser University
"Even in Annie’s most brutal moments, Stroud signals to us how deflated and demoralized she feels, knowing how her most ardent sentiments for her favorite books literally have meant nothing." The Utah Review
"There is something about the timbre and tone of Stroud’s voice as Annie that is simultaneously pleasant and disturbing. She is grounded and deliberate in every move, creating a wholly convincing and deranged character. " Utah Theatre Bloggers
"Stephanie Stroud is also brilliant as Annie. She has the cadence and mousiness the role requires but it feels totally believable when she transitions into her darkest tendencies." Rachel Reviews
"Stephanie Stroud's portrayal of Annie Wilkes is nothing short of captivating, offering a chillingly nuanced performance that balances deceptive innocence and warmth with explosive bursts of psychotic rage. From the moment she steps on stage, Stroud commands attention, drawing the audience in with a seemingly gentle demeanor that masks the sinister depths of her character. Stroud expertly captures Annie's unsettling charm, making her moments of tenderness feel almost genuine, which only serves to make the inevitable shifts into darkness all the more horrifying.
Stroud's seamless transitions from compassionate caregiver to sadistic tormentor are particularly jarring, creating a palpable tension that keeps the audience on edge. Her tone can shift in an instant, from a sweet, sing-song reassurance to a venomous snarl, her eyes narrowing with a malevolent intensity that sends shivers down the spine. There are moments when Stroud's quiet, almost childlike affection for Paul is so convincing that it lulls the audience into a false sense of security-only for her to lash out with terrifying unpredictability.
Stroud's physicality also plays a crucial role in making Annie's volatility believable. Whether it's the unnerving calmness in her movements when preparing Paul's medication or the sudden, violent outbursts during moments of rage, her body language communicates the constant danger lurking beneath Annie's facade. Each mood swing feels like a trap snapping shut, making her threats feel all the more real. Stroud's ability to embody these contrasting sides of Annie not only brings the character to life but also deepens the psychological horror of the play, keeping the audience captivated and unnerved from start to finish." The Rhetorical review
