Dispatches from Home – I’m Miserable due to Misery.

Greetings!

I am miserable today after seeing Center Stage’s production of “Misery” last night. However, I’m now the production’s “number one fan.” I am miserable because of David Slatten‘s gritty, nerve-wracking portrayal of Paul Sheldon and his “pain” as he struggles to survive the “love” shown to him by Annie Wilkes, masterfully portrayed by Daisha Walker. Her character helps David’s character “convalesce and write” after a car accident. The curtain went up, and there were no lulls in the play, based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name.

David portrays Paul as someone adept at using deadpan humor to cope with his convalescence, which is the most miserably painful time of his life. When David hobbled out of his sickbed, crying, groaning, and wincing, we, the audience, felt every anguished movement. However, he doesn’t portray Paul as someone who is particularly nice. Still, I felt sorry for him because no one should have to endure such pain and torture, even if that person is a famous, narcissistic novelist who is being held hostage by his deranged “number one fan.”

And then there’s Daisha, whom I’ve known for thirty years or more. Daisha, sweet Daisha, I was mesmerized by your gradual transformation from the caring, loving Annie to the somewhat creepy Annie and then to the downright nasty, ferociously evil, love-scorned Annie. Unrequited love is a dangerous mistress whose capacity for revenge can be bottomless. And painful.

Wading into this swirling vortex of nastiness and pain is Sheriff Buster, humorously portrayed by David Chapman. In his few scenes, with his folksy drawl, he wanders around the stage inquiring about the famous missing novelist in a Colombo-esque manner, which is a ruse used to find answers to his questions. Unfortunately, one of the answers he finds is not what he expected.

Chuck White, resident director, has assembled a top-notch cast for the show. In addition to the scene-setting sounds of pouring rain, crashing thunder, and the revolving set, Annie’s scratchy Liberace records only heighten the sinister, sometimes painful-to-watch action on the stage.

“Misery” runs through May 4, 2025. For tickets, please contact https://centerstagebiloxi.org

You’ll be in misery for years to come if you don’t.

Big hug, y’all!