Backyard Renaissance Theatre in San Diego Closes Ninth Season with a Stirring Production of MISERY

Thrills, Special Effects, and a Scream (or two)...

A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti

Francis Gercke and Maggie Carney. Photo Daren Scott.

I remember being scared of Kathy Bates in MISERY, the movie, and my best friend was obsessed with the novel IT, so I was exposed to the materials. (I could not understand why she loved reading about that clown at 13 years old.) Then, after reading MJ Sieber's Director's Notes for this play, it helped me understand the "Constant Readers," and since I am also a kid from the 80s, well...

Later in life, during my reporter days, I reviewed MISERY the play on tour with a Mexican company. It was so engaging. 

Backyard Renaissance is closing its ninth season with this play and what a fit! the company has proven to be a master of the mysterious and rip-roaring.

MISERY, a novel by Stephen King published in the 80s was adapted into a movie a couple of years later with a script by William Goldman. Famous novelist Paul Sheldon (Francis Gercke) has had great success with the book series MISERY, Victorian romance novels with the life adventures of Misery Chastain. Whenever Paul is due for another writing marathon, he goes to the mountains in Silver Creek, Colorado. After a wild snowstorm and an almost deadly car accident, Paul is rescued by Annie Wilkes (Maggie Carney), a nurse who is also his number one fan. As she discloses the information proudly, Paul realizes his legs are broken and he has a dislocated shoulder. He mentions a new manuscript to Annie and after some negotiations, she gets to read it, and things go south quick. Buster the local sheriff (Alex Guzman) is investigating Paul's accident as there is a car but not a body. At the same time, the last book of the MISERY series is about to drop and Paul gets concerned.

Alex Guzman and Maggie Carney. Photo Daren Scott.

Directed by MJ Sieber, the frame trace reflects throughout each scene with meticulous and calculated acting. Francis Gercke displays impressive physical work beyond the stage, having Paul's pain be grasped across the room. There is a scene where he uses the bed as a base to get up and Gercke does this full-on pike (IYKYK) beautifully. Maggie Carney's rendition of Annie is a total spin from her Mattie Fae in last year's production August: Osage County, for which she was nominated for a Craig Noel award. Carney is both unsettling and moving as Annie, displaying joy and anger through mannerisms and gestures articulated with loud screams modulated differently while instilling chills. Although Alex Guzman's interventions as the sheriff are brief, they bring thrill, energy, and momentum.

The creative team for this production had synergy as it manifested throughout the play having each element stand out and complement. Curtis Mueller's lighting design paces the scenes and guides the audience through pauses and surprise, lighting the window to illustrate the time of day, or going full-on dark. Logan Kirkendall's sound aside from the ambient sounds that were on point, curated a pretty cool soundtrack that served as background throughout the performance while illustrating a musical reference that Annie uses. Yi-Chien Lee's set design is detailed and even churrigeresque -matching Annie's personality- showcasing the bedroom where Paul is recovering, a gloomy kitchen, and the front door with its porch. Chien Lee hints at a hallway behind the room that peeks through the bedroom door adding to the puzzling vibe. Jeffrey Neitzel's special effects go from a snowstorm to a loud scream that I might have let out during a sepulchral silence (not the first, and I do not think it will be the last). They are thrilling, exciting, and unexpected which is a good combo. Jessica John Gercke's costume design was playful with Annie's ensembles using long skirts, stockings, chunky boots, and a coquette dress. The sheriff's gear was detailed and shiny, totally giving the vibe, and Paul even though bedridden, showed some fitting pieces as well. 

Backyard Renaissance proves once more that thrills, chills, and spills are part of their jam. Well crafted and directed, it also weirdly delivers a fun experience at the theatre. With all the Christmas fluff happening currently, it balances out nicely. 

Check it out for yourself and for the theories out there about "theatre being expensive", two tickets can be purchased for less than 60 dollars. McDonald's is like 30, so go support your local theatre. 

Currently playing until Saturday, December 7. For more information, please click HERE.