Laurie Metcalf Will Replace Elizabeth Marvel in Bruce Willis-Led Misery on Broadway; Dates & Theater Set

Bruce Willis will have a new "Number One Fan" when he makes his previously reported Broadway debut this fall! Three-time Emmy winner and two-time Tony nominee Laurie Metcalf has been tapped to replace Elizabeth Marvel in the stage adaptation of Stephen King’s Misery. It has also been announced that the production will begin performances on October 22 and officially play a 16-week limited engagement. Opening night is scheduled for November 15 at the Broadhurst Theatre, which is currently playing host to Mamma Mia!.

Marvel, a regular on Netflix's House of Cards, has had to withdraw from Misery due to scheduling conflicts. Metcalf, an original member of the Steppenwolf Theatre, received Tony nods for her performances in The Other Place and November. She has also been seen on Broadway in Brighton Beach Memoirs and My Thing of Love. Metcalf won three Emmy Awards for Roseanne; additional screen credits include Getting On, The Big Bang Theory, Desperately Seeking Susan, Leaving Las Vegas, Uncle Buck, JFK, International Affairs and the Toy Story series.

Directed by Will Frears, the play is penned by two-time Oscar winner William Goldman. Misery follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon (Willis), who is rescued from a car crash by his “Number One Fan,” Annie Wilkes (Metcalf), and wakes up captive in her secluded home. While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads the manuscript to his newest novel and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new “Misery” novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it, and if he does not make her deadline, it will.

Goldman also adapted the best-selling 1987 book for film. The 1990 movie starred James Caan as Sheldon and Kathy Bates in an Oscar-winning performance as Wilkes. The Frears-helmed stage adaptation received its world premiere at Pennsylvania’s Bucks County Playhouse in November 2012, starring Daniel Gerroll and Tony nominee Johanna Day.

The production will feature scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by David Weiner and sound design by Darron West.