Quote of the Day: She was crazy but he needed her. Oh, I am in so much trouble, he thought, and he stared blindly up at the ceiling as the droplets of sweat began to gather on his forehead again. Stephen King, Misery 

I’ll admit, I was a little scared saying yes to watching and reviewing Misery at the Yellow Tree Theatre. I saw the 1990 film starring Kathy Bates and James Caan in the movie theater when it came out. I’m cautious about horror films. I don’t usually watch them, but I like a good phycological thriller, which is what Misery is, with a few moments of explosive violence that I did NOT see coming! Still, who can forget Annie Wilkes’ obsessive love of her favorite writer Paul Sheldon, and her famous chilling line, “I’m your number one fan.” Also, to note, William Goldman wrote both the screenplay and stage adaptation for Stephen King’s bestselling novel Misery. 

Laura Esping as Annie Wilkes and Dustin Bronson as Paul Sheldon in Misery, at Yellow Tree Theatre, thru 10/19/25. Photo: Alex Clark

Watching Misery in the intimate space of Yellow Tree Theatre increases the intensity of this psychological thriller. We can see every facial twitch and sweat drip, and hear the gasps of fear and pain – from both actors and audience members! I wasn’t as scared as I thought I’d be since I saw a production of this play in Brainerd last year. I kind of knew what to expect. Still, each creative team gives it their own spin, and these actors were dynamite in their interactions with each other. 

Laura Esping as Annie Wilkes and Dustin Bronson as Paul Sheldon in Misery, at Yellow Tree Theatre, thru 10/19/25. Photo: Alex Clark

The play, expertly directed by John Catron, starts the minute you enter the house. Dustin Bronson, who plays best-selling author Paul Sheldon, is lying in bed, a bandage on his head, his arm in a sling, and his broken legs covered by a handmade quilt and afghan blanket. He wakes up, disoriented, and Annie Wilkes enters. She bustles around him, checking on him, nursing his wounds, and explaining that she rescued him out of his car that went off the road near her house during a Colorado blizzard. Laura Esping does a great job of being the giddy number one fan who can’t believe her writer hero is in her care and the crazed fanatic who will do anything to keep him there. Watching her switch between these two forces is fascinating. At one point offering him more pain meds, then turning on him for his use of inappropriate language and forcing him to swallow them with dirty water. Bronson, in turn, gives us the sense of terror one might feel being trapped and dependent on a psychopath, with nowhere to turn, and without the physical ability to leave, even if the doors were unlocked.

Laura Esping as Annie Wilkes and Dustin Bronson as Paul Sheldon in Misery, at Yellow Tree Theatre, thru 10/19/25. Photo: Alex Clark

This is mostly a two character play with the appearance of the local Sheriff Buster (Chance Carroll) who is checking on residents after the storm and searching for the author who has been reported missing. He suspects that Paul Sheldon got caught in the storm and lost control on the treacherous roads. He’s probably buried in the snow, but we’re still searching, he tells Annie. Annie plays the distraught fan, feigning ignorance of where her beloved author could be. Sheldon’s, and our hopes, are dashed as the sheriff walks away. Still, Paul is not without his resources. He figure out a way to get out of his room, find more meds and a weapon. He tries to trick Annie with his charms. When all that fails, he shows his anger. But, in the end, he has to give her what she wants – another book with her beloved characters ,”my friends” as she calls them, and appease her desires. Ah, really, this is King at his finest. He is a master at setting up intense situations that leave readers, and audience members, as the edge of their seats!

Laura Esping as Annie Wilkes and Chance Carroll as Sheriff Buster in Misery, at Yellow Tree Theatre, thru 10/19/25. Photo: Alex Clark

The stage, designed brilliantly by Justin Hooper, is multi-layered. It’s like you’re looking in the window of the bedroom, which is in the forefront. Behind the bed (the focal point) is a half wall so you can see into the kitchen, and the doorway gives the impression of Annie going further into the house. The door between the bedroom and kitchen is also a partial door – with a lock – and the door to the “outside” is a full door, where the sheriff comes knocking. You are so close to the action that you feel like you’re inside that house with Paul and Annie, and feel how claustrophobic and suffocating it is for our dear author. I loved the touch of having pages of a book covering the upper part of the set. The lighting, designed by Kathy Maxwell, and sound, designed by Jeff Bailey make this a truly atmospheric play. Great costumes by Smantha Fromm Haddow, and props by Brandt Roberts – complete with an old-fashioned manual typewriter that delivers all those clicks, clacks, and dings as Paul Sheldon pounds out the novel to save his life.

The creative team at Yellow Tree Theatre in Osseo, MN has created a theatrical experience that will give you chills and thrills. The acting alone is worth the trip out to the suburbs. You can catch this psychological thriller though October 19, 2025. Yellow Tree Theatre produced Misery in 2023 to nearly all sold out performances, so don’t procrastinate in getting tickets! This is another chance to enter the world of a popular author and his number one fan!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: Do you have a favorite Stephen King novel? Are you a fan of psychological thrillers? What are your favorites? Who’s your favorite villain?