You’ve No Idea What I’m Capable Of

Misery

Just in time for the Halloween season, Citadel Theatre presents this horrifying, tension-filled one-act drama. With its slow build, MISERY is almost relentless in its emotional terror. Written by Highland Park-born screenwriter and playwright, William Goldman (“The Princess Bride”), adapted from Stephen King’s acclaimed psychologically suspenseful novel and Rob Reiner’s tense 1990 film, this riveting ninety-minute thriller grabs hold of the audience and never lets go until the very end. 

Frightening and filled with unrelenting anxiety and dread, talented Director Scott Westerman has staged and guided his gifted cast with a firm hand and a knack for building horror on the stage. Mr. Westerman has proven his talent for directing a tension-filled drama with Citadel’s THE MOUSETRAP, as well as demonstrating his brilliance at comedy in his popular production of A JUKEBOX FOR THE ALGONQUIN. Citadel’s latest production illustrates something said in the play: “You’ve no idea what I’m capable of!”

The scene is winter in rural Colorado. A terrible snowstorm has made roads impassable and communication impossible. Lying unconscious in the bed of a remote mountain cabin, a man fights for his life. His face, legs and entire body have been broken, bruised and bandaged. The man’s name is Paul Sheldon. He’s the famed author of several novels, among them a series of popular period page-turners about a woman he calls Misery.

Paul was just leaving the mountain retreat where he’d finished writing a new book when his car went off the road. Paul crashed in the middle of nowhere, and would’ve died, had not a woman named Annie Wilkes chanced upon the wreckage. Recognizing Paul Sheldon as her favorite author, Annie rescues him and, instead of taking him to the hospital, brings him back to her remote farm. There the former nurse painstakingly cares for the writer, tending to Paul’s injuries and ministering to his pain. After all, as Annie, continually tells Paul, “I’m your number one fan.” But she’s also become his prison warden, and soon the severely injured writer sees little hope of ever enjoying his freedom again. Misery now becomes Paul’s way of life, in more ways than one.

This cast is a treasure, skilled and savvy with every dramatic beat of the play. As the adept and accomplished founders and production managers of Citadel Theatre, married couple Ellen and Scott Phelps each wear another hat for this production. Ellen Phelps is magical as Annie Wilkes. The actress brings this character to life, creating a unique individual who is all her own. While it might’ve been easier to simply imitate Kathy Bates in her Academy Award-winning film performance of the character, Ms. Phelps makes the role all her own. She combines a blind devotion for her favorite author with a dash of gentle homespun hospitality and a terrifying and ruthless resolve, all designed to get exactly what she wants. This actress’ brilliant performance fuses unpretentious honesty and bucolic banter with her character’s sudden raving and psychotic personality shifts. Ellen Phelps is as brilliant and mesmerizing here as she was in 

A JUKEBOX FOR THE ALGONQUIN, along with so many other fine Citadel productions.

Scott Phelps, the talented Artistic Director of Citadel Theatre, has also been seen in several productions on the Lake Forest stage. Most memorably, he appeared in the leading role of THE CHRISTIANS. Here he creates a smart, talented writer who, at the beginning of the play, is helpless, totally confused and in severe pain from his injuries. But as the play progresses we not only watch Paul Sheldon gradually begin to heal but also become a desperate and determined captive. As Paul observes Annie’s obsessive love turn into uncontrollable rage, and then back again to sweetness again, he realizes that he’s dealing with a dangerous and psychopathic woman. Being held prisoner against his will, Paul knows that the only way he can survive this nightmare is to somehow escape. But that’s far easier said than done.

The play’s drama is enhanced by a team of talented technical theatre artists. Bob Knuth has come up with a Scenic Design that not only cleverly works with the limitations of the intimate Citadel stage but looks authentic. His realistic rendition of a rural mountain farmhouse allows us to see, both inside the two main rooms, as well as the front porch outside. The authentic 1980’s detail that dresses the set may be credited in part to Patrick McGuire’s superb Properties Design. For instance, notice the authenticity of Sheldon’s book jackets, as well as the cleverly utilized television that allows theatergoers to observe other parts of the house on the TV screen. Danielle Reinhardt’s period costumes transport the theatergoer back to another time and place. Petter Wahlback also adds a lot to this production with his exquisitely executed Sound Design. From Annie’s collection of Liberace records to the ear-splitting crashes of thunder during a rainstorm, Mr. Wahlback’s addition to this production are spot-on. In addition, the artistic Lighting Design created by Jodi Williams creates mood and meteorological changes. Watch for her incredible lightning effects, as well as the subtle way the table lamps redirect our focus around the set.

This is one more feather in the cap of Director Scott Westerman, following his brilliant and excellent production of A JUKEBOX FOR THE ALGONQUIN. As the suspense builds in MISERY, and the unrelenting horror increases, theatergoers will find themselves chewing their fingernails and perched on the edge of their seats. Everyone will empathize with the severely-injured author will wonder if and how he’ll ever survive and escape the maniacal Annie Wilkes. Paul Sheldon’s “Number One Fan” also turns out to be his number one enemy. The audience will also leave this production with a renewed admiration for the Citadel Theatre’s continued excellence. Scott and Ellen Phelps seem to constantly produce some of the finest theatre on the North Shore. Like Annie Wilkes, it’s almost as if the Citadel’s saying to theatergoers, “You’ve no idea what I’m capable of!”  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 12-October 12 by Citadel Theatre Company, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 847-735-8554, x1, or by going to www.citadeltheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.