BROWNSTOWN — Prepare to be spooked as Jackson County Community Theatre presents its first mainstage show of the 2023-24 season, Stephen King’s “Misery.”
The 1987 novel was made into a movie by screenwriter William Goldman and directed by Rob Reiner with James Caan and Kathy Bates in the lead roles.
The show will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sept. 24. In addition, there will be a special 10 p.m. performance on Friday the 13th of October for fans who love to be spooked.
All performances will be at Royal Off-the-Square Theatre, 121 W. Walnut St., Brownstown.
“Misery” follows a successful romance novelist, Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash by his No. 1 fan, Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home.
While Sheldon is convalescing, Wilkes reads his latest book and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. The maddened Wilkes forces Sheldon to write a new Misery novel, and he quickly realizes Wilkes has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Wilkes has Sheldon writing as if his life depends on it.
Paul Angle is directing the show and has directed many JCCT favorites, such as “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Xanadu.” Annie Wilkes will be played by Summer Hall, a newcomer to JCCT but an experienced actor in other area theaters. Veterans Matt Nieman and Jeremy Hendrix will play the novelist, Paul Sheldon and the local sheriff, Buster, respectively. Ron Duncan is the assistant director, and Brinna Sharp is the production manager.
JCCT would like to remind patrons that this show is not appropriate for children, and parental wisdom should be exercised for teens. As is typical for the Stephen King genre, there will be heavy suspense that includes some violence and language.
Tickets are on sale online through jcct.org, in person at Artistic Impressions, 127 W. Second St., Seymour, and Ewing Unique Boutique, 1050 W. Spring St., Brownstown, and by phone at 812-358-5228.
After “Misery,” the next show in the 2023-24 season is Ken Ludwig’s “The Game’s Afoot” (or “Holmes for the Holidays”) Dec. 1, 2, 3 8 and 9. Auditions are Sept. 24 and 25.
JCCT’s annual dinner theater at The Pines Evergreen Room in Seymour will be performed Feb. 16, 17, 18, 23 and 24. The show will be a comedy, “The One-Act Play that Goes Wrong.” Auditions are Dec. 10 and 11.
The spring show is another comedy, Ken Ludwig’s “Leading Ladies,” April 19, 20, 21, 26 and 27.Auditions are Feb. 26 and 27.
The youth thespians of Jackson County Young Artists’ Theatre will present student-directed one-act shows Jan. 26, 27 and 28.
Season tickets for 2023-24 may be purchased by calling 812-358-5228 or emailing [email protected]. Season ticket holders have the same seats reserved on their chosen night for each show at a discounted price, though they can be exchanged in case of a conflict.
In addition, JCCT now offers season subscriptions. Subscribers order a number of tickets at a discounted price, which can be redeemed for any shows at Royal Off-the Square Theatre. These can be purchased online at jcct.org.