"Misery" will be playing at Peter Public Library in Marquette next week. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Bowers)

MARQUETTE — IronArts Theatre and Peter White Public Library are coming together to provide a thrilling week of entertainment.

At at 6 p.m. February 16-18, the library will be hosting performances of “Misery,” a Tony-nominated play based on author Stephen King’s 1987 novel of the same name. The show is directed by Leslie Parkonen.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with IronArts Theatre to bring Stephen King’s iconic story to the Peter White stage.” said PWPL Adult Programming Coordinator Marty Achatz. “From the original novel to the Oscar-winning film adaptation and Tony-nominated Broadway production, Misery has been terrifying audiences for close to 40 years. I think the community is in for a miserably great ride.”

Performing “Misery” at the library marks a new collaborative partnership between PWPL and the IronArts Theatre.

“The way it happened was kind of by chance,” said Achatz. “I ran into Leslie Parkonen at the Ore Dock and she said that she really wanted to do “Misery,” but didn’t have a place to do it. I said I might have a place, and we started talking.

“She was thinking about doing it for Halloween … but I suggested Valentine’s Day. “[Misery]” is about a writer and his number-one fan who loves him, so it’s a perfect Valentine’s Day show. She really liked that idea.

“She went back to the board at IronArts theatre and pitched doing the show here at the library, and it progressed from there … I’m hoping this is the first of many collaborations.”

“Misery” tells the story of successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is seriously injured in a car accident and subsequently wakes up a captive in the home of Annie Wilkes, who professes to be both a nurse and his number one fan.

In the IronArts Theatre production, Paul Sheldon, is played by Adam Maslak and Annie Wilkes is played by Jessica “Red” Bays. The small but talented cast also includes Mike Fishman playing Sheriff Buster.

“I love Stephen King,” said director Parkonen. “Misery is a psychological thriller, but at its core it’s about obsession and power. It’s intimate, it’s unsettling. And I knew the people chosen for the cast would blow it out of the water.”

“Directing “Misery” has been an act of trust in remarkable actors who bring their whole hearts to the stage,” said Parkonen. “To see that passion support the Peter White Public Library and especially Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council/IronArts, a place that has given me so much, makes this experience profoundly personal and deeply meaningful.”

Parkonen has been acting with the IronArts Theatre since she was 16 years old.

“Leslie is a talented director, actor and vocalist who has actively supported PAAC and IronArts for decades,” said IronArts President Rusty Bowers. “Everyone involved in this production has ties to the Vista Theater in Negaunee and a history of lending their talent to important productions that will continue to elevate the arts in Marquette County.”

“Misery” is not a child-friendly show, due largely to its language content, but Parkonen says that for adults, it’s certainly worth seeing.

“It’s tense, gripping, darkly funny and human,” said Parkonen. “Even if you know the story from the book, you’ll still be surprised.”

Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the circulation desk of Peter White Public Library. All proceeds go towards supporting programming at the library, the IronArts Theatre, and the Vista Theatre.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.