Bruce Willis to Make Broadway Debut in Stage Adaptation of Stephen King's Misery
Bruce Willis will make his Broadway debut in a stage adaptation of Stephen King’s Misery. Elizabeth Marvel will co-star in the play, penned by two-time Oscar winner William Goldman. Directed by Will Frears, the production will play a limited engagement this fall at a theater to be announced.
Willis’ extensive film career includes memorable roles in movies such as The Sixth Sense, the Die Hard series, Twelve Monkeys and The Fifth Element. He took home an Emmy and Golden Globe for his performance in the 1985 drama series Moonlighting. Additional screen credits include the Sin City and RED series, Last Man Standing and Armageddon. While Misery will mark his Broadway debut, he did appear off-Broadway early in his career in Heaven and Earth, Fool for Love and Bullpen. Marvel’s Broadway credits include Picnic, Other Desert Cities, Top Girls, Seascape and An American Daughter. Her screen credits include House of Cards, True Grit and Burn After Reading.
Misery follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon (Willis), who is rescued from a car crash by his “Number One Fan,” Annie Wilkes (Marvel), 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 set design by David Korins, lighting design by David Weiner and sound design by Darron West.
