Stephanie Jones and Daniel Paul Anaya Photo by Ponic Photography

This is a solid production with a strong cast and careful and considered design elements. ALT is known for its outstanding set designs, and set designer Jason Roman has delivered a very workable, realistic box set. The playing areas may be a bit limiting, but the mini-revolve and the outside areas are cleverly executed. Lighting, properties, costumes and sound are all appropriate. This is a handsome production.

This is essentially a two-person play, with Stephanie Jones as Nurse Annie Wilkes and Daniel Paul Anaya as romance novelist Paul Sheldon. Both actors are seasoned professionals who manage the difficult dialogue well. Ricky Montes, as Buster the Sheriff, brings the right touch of menace and humor to this necessary role.

Misery is usually labeled as a psychological horror thriller. This production has decided to emphasize the more humane aspects of the story of kidnapping and abuse. Paul certainly has his flaws. Nurse Wilkes' shortcomings are partially explained by her isolation and upbringing. Removing or downplaying some of the sheer horror of what is happening between these two people dissipates and mutes the psychological thriller aspects of the play. The ninety-minute first act has a slow pace and there is little menacing build.

Yes, there are questions about the creative process and modern fan fiction obsessions, but the center of the play is the fear of what will happen to Paul at the hands of the unstable Annie Wilkes. As played by Stephanie Jones, Annie is less mercurial than she needs to be. Her abrupt changes should be out of proportion to anything normal. We should see the mask drop for a split second and be afraid. Paul too seems less affected by what she does even when what she does is totally crazy. Some hysterical, over-the-top acting is called for.

What we have then is a play that does not build much suspense. The thriller aspects are weak. The longer first act seems to lose energy because of this. Where is the "what is going to happen now," moment?

The second act is characterized by swifter action but lacks the horror of what is going on. The killing of Buster is masked upstage and finishes with a death fall that is almost comic–beautifully executed, but somehow funny. This is misplaced. The very end is confusing, and the timing is off.

The play does not take us for a thrilling ride, but the professionalism of the production is always apparent. The Albuquerque Little Theatre delivers an accomplished mounting of Misery.

Misery runs through May 11, 2025, at Albuquerque Little Theatre, 224 San Pasquale Ave SW, Albuquerque NM. Performances are Thursday, May 8 at 7:30 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Saturday May 3 at 2:00 pm. And Sundays at 2:00 pm. General admission is $35; discount admission is $32. For tickets and information, please visit www.AlbuquerqueLittleTheatre.org or call 505-242- 4750.

Directed by Lando Ruiz, Assistant Director – Tanner Sroufe, Set Designer – Jason Roman, Costume Designer – Khristah Garcia, Property Designer – Nicholas Handley, Lighting Designer – RayRey Griego.

The Cast: Daniel Paul Anaya, Stephanie Jones, Ricky Montes. Understudies Tadhg Wilkinson and Tasha Irvin.