The Forst Inn Arts Collective Presents Stephen King’s Misery!

The Forst Inn Arts Collective presents William Goldman’s gripping adaptation of the popular Stephen King novel, Misery. The show opens October 12 and performs through the 27th.

The production features Martin Schaller as Paul Sheldon, Emilee Carroll as Annie Wilkes, and Kevin James Sievert as the Sheriff. Hannah Otto is directing and the artistic team includes costumer Claran LaViolette, properties master Gavin Annette, and stage manager Phillip Jindra.

Misery is a thrilling stage version that captures the intense psychological drama of the original story. The play, adapted by William Goldman, premiered in 2015 and has been praised for its ability to translate King’s gripping narrative to the stage.

The plot revolves around Paul Sheldon, a famous novelist who, after a car accident, is rescued by Annie Wilkes, a fan who turns out to be dangerously obsessed with him. Annie brings Paul to her remote home and becomes his caretaker. However, her seemingly kind demeanor quickly turns sinister as she forces Paul to rewrite his latest novel according to her demands, all while subjecting him to increasingly severe psychological and physical abuse.

Goldman's adaptation focuses on the claustrophobic and tense atmosphere of the novel, emphasizing the psychological terror and the battle of wills between Paul and Annie. The stage version retains the core elements of the book—Paul's desperation, Annie's volatility, and the escalating sense of dread—while utilizing the unique strengths of live theater, such as dramatic lighting, sound effects, and powerful performances.

The play's small cast focuses on the interactions between Paul and Annie, which allows for intense character development and a deep dive into their complex relationship. The setting creates a confined, unsettling environment that mirrors the novel’s atmosphere, making the audience feel as trapped as Paul does.

Overall, the play adaptation of Misery is celebrated for its ability to convey the suspense and horror of King's original story while taking full advantage of the immediacy and impact of live theater.

Our pub is open 90 minutes before curtain and most events feature live music for the hour prior to the performance. Tickets are $20-$33 for seating in our intimate cabaret theatre. Options for light dining are available with your ticket to mainstage productions.

The Forst Inn is located at E2910 County Road BB in Tisch Mills, WI. We are thirty minutes or less from Green Bay, Kewaunee and Manitowoc. More information and tickets are at www.forstinn.org. We can be reached at arts@forstinn.com