Footlight Players bring 'Misery' to Coshocton

Meeting your No. 1 fan isn’t always a fun experience. Theatergoers will discover this when the Footlight Players present their new play, “Misery,” at the Triple Locks Theater.

“Misery,” based on a Stephen King novel, tells the story of writer Paul Sheldon, who is rescued after a car crash by his “No. 1 fan” Annie Wilkes. Wilkes becomes upset when she realizes Paul killed off her favorite character and makes him rewrite the story.

“Annie saves Paul’s life but almost takes it too,” said Nick Fischer, who plays Paul. “She says she is his No. 1 fan and there isn’t a No. 2.”

Fischer is excited to play Paul and be a part of this three-person production.

“Paul is way different than I am, and it’s fun to get the chance to be someone else,” Fischer said.

Annie is played by Amanda Bailey Gress, who describes her character as unhinged.

“She goes from high energy to mid, to caring to being not caring,” Gress said. “If I had to clinically diagnose her, I would say she is manic depressive, bipolar, OCD and more.”

Gress wanted to be in this play because she is writing a book and the storyline goes along with that process.

“You want to write, but it’s hard when you force yourself to,” she said. “It’s easier to do when the creative juices just flow.”

Gress encourages people to come see the play.

“If you’ve read the book or seen the movie, you have to come see this,” she said.

David Wickham plays Buster the Sheriff, who follows up on a missing person report on Paul.

“I bite off more than I can chew, and the situation escalates quickly,” Wickham said.

“Misery” is directed by Ellen Hardesty and Jackie McCune.

“The cast has really good chemistry,” McCune said. “They all just really clicked. It is rated R and has language in it, but it appears where it fits and isn’t overdone. I think it’s like four times.”

She is excited to work with Hardesty again.

“We’ve been friends for over 25 years,” McCune said. “We balance each other out. I can’t imagine directing a show on my own.”

This is their first time directing a drama together.

“It moves fast, and there are going to be some special effects,” Hardesty said. “It’s going to be fun, but if you are offended by language, you won’t want to come.”

“Misery” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 15-16 and Thursday through Saturday, May 21-23 and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17. The Triple Locks Theater is located at 685 N. Whitewoman St. in Coshocton. For ticket information visit www.footlightplayers.com or call 740-622-2959.