Misery NYC Reviews and Tickets

"Frankly, this 'Misery' doesn’t have enough over-the-top physical torture and mayhem to relieve its long spells of tedium. For the play’s first half, Metcalf makes a terrific Annie, but Goldman’s script doesn’t give her any new notes of dementia to hit in the second half...Willis gives a credible performance, but as a stage actor he doesn’t show much invention or variety."
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"It is not altogether a miserable experience — thanks to the superb Laurie Metcalf, who delivers a crackling, delightfully deranged performance...Bruce Willis' knack for remaining affable in the most dire straits does him few favors in the role of desperate hostage...While the cramped scale is fitting for a story about a man held captive, the staging sometimes gets swallowed up by the dark void of a massive theatre — particularly as its hobbled star performance doesn’t do much to light it up."
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"To my surprise, and relief, I actually ended up not minding the show at all. Although that's probably for the very reason that others didn't like it: it's not scary. In fact, 'Misery' is so tension-free that I never had to hold my hand in front of my eyes and peek through my fingers at any point...Willis super fans and those of the movie may have a good time."
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"The challenge is to get someone who knows the story anxious all over again. And that they do. The box-office catnip is Willis, totally convincing in his first play since his early off-Broadway days…But the wow factor, the precision instrument that keeps propelling the story into psychologically unexpected corners, is Laurie Metcalf...The kind of expertly done, old-time theatrical thriller with little more in its psycho head than stylish, scary fun."
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"A bad idea poorly executed, a stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning film 'Misery' has been kicking around for years. It's hard to know why. What might seem creepy on film plays as silly and campy on stage…No one is in good form. "
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"If 'Misery' were a prizefight, they'd stop it in the first round. That's how much of an acting mismatch is going on...The usual scheming and gambits that are basic to the genre fall flat; it's a cat-and-mouse game in which only the cat is committed to playing. In an attempt to do something to engage the audience and heighten tension, director Will Frears has inserted snatches of ominous music...At times, Frears appears to be poking mild fun at the bizarre plot."
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"There’s pressure on Metcalf to keep this play from going camp, and she pulls it off without hamming things up…Willis is persuasive and coy. It’s a physical performance…Metcalf and Willis seem to be having oodles of fun…We may question whether 'Misery' demanded a stage adaptation, but there are two good reasons to see it: Metcalf and Willis. The actors manage to elevate material that is, at best, workmanlike. 'Misery' is entertaining and forgettable."
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"What makes it all work however, is the contrasting and beautiful work of both stars. Laurie Metcalf has hidden reserves of madness stored up within her...Bruce Willis has wisely chosen to stress the inner calm of Paul Sheldon ...There are times when things happen slowly, but I was always involved...I was never quite sure where all this was going, and the conclusion, which may surprise some, deserved the enthusiasm with which it was greeted by a very happy house."
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