The Portsmouth Little Theatre (PLT) opened curtains this month on its massive 75^th season, with five performances of Stephen King’s Misery. Three performances were sold out and two were nearly so, and social media was buzzing with reviews and positive commentary on the impressive show that featured three strong acting talents, well thought out lighting, a turntable stage, detailed sets and props, and more. Those involved claimed the stage magic was intense for this production.

The show was a bucket list production for many involved, with the theatre board members spending years eyeing the rights and waiting for them to become available. It was the first production they locked into their 75^th season, with payments being made to secure the rights over a year ago, and board members Kerri Davis and Jim Humphrey locked in for directing.

Rehearsals for the production began two months ago and the small, but mighty, cast had been pulling together a well-tuned machine ever since. Planning and design started much sooner, according to co-director Humphrey.

Davis and Humphrey have worked together on many productions, from acting together to directing together. They last teamed up on the Ohio Arts Council funded production of Velveteen that hit the stage last Christmas. The two managed some amazing feats in the production, including a 14-foot ship that had to fit through an 8-foot door. They also created a 16-foot book that had turning pages to reveal different storybook sets. Humphrey promised big spectacle with this production as well and over delivered.

“I’ve built some amazing things on this stage, from two-story houses to huge magical worlds, but this was the hardest set I’ve ever built,” Humphrey claimed. “It’s the most technical heavy show I’ve ever been involved in and the most prop reliant production I’ve done. I’ve become a self-proclaimed prop master.”

Humphrey was put in a position to create some amazing props, from feet and ankles that break on stage using specialty casts and braces to a cordless electric-powered grill that took some serious ingenuity to spark on stage without a plug. He also had to create several weapons that look realistic, while also being safe for actors. That’s not to mention the set itself, which was massive and on a turntable.

Davis said that it took a tremendous amount of help from a dedicated team, which also included Technical Director Adam Lucas, Assistant Director Kelli Riffe, Eric Musser, and more.

“Overall, this show was heard to be ‘the best seen’ by several patrons,” Davis said. “I could watch it over and over and smile every single time. We had mountains to overcome with this one, and we had the best team with whom to conquer them!”

Of course, Davis said working with her favorite teammate, Humphrey, was the best part for her.

“Doing what you love, side by side, is not something every couple gets to do, and dreaming of this show in particular was something that got us through some very dark moments. In the words of Annie Wilkes, ‘Misery saved (us),’ Davis claimed, citing serious health scares Humphrey had over the summer. “We didn’t mention this until the run was near completion, but, in the hospital, when Jim was slipping, me talking about getting well because we were so excited to build this show, would bring him back to reality. I never once let the idea of dropping the show come into conversation, and the PLT board was incredibly supportive. We did it. It provided entertainment. It made people smile. It supported the arts. And it made us stronger in so many ways.”

Theatre veteran Eva Martin was in the leading role as Annie Wilkes. She spent months preparing for her menacing role, which was widely accepted by audiences, despite the character being adored for the way Kathy Bates famously played her in the movie.

“I have loved every second of bringing Stephen King’s Annie character to life. Going from one emotion to the next went so smoothly with such amazing cast mates. Performing on the fantastic rotating set, the technical props he created, I am constantly amazed at Jim Humphrey and his talents,” Martin said. “Jim, Kerri, and Kelli, who were our directors, the crew, my cast mates, made this show a hit I’m so honored to have been a part of.”

Despite having spent hundreds of hours at the theatre lately, Martin is preparing to tackle directing for the first time with the next show, Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol.

“I am excited to be assisting Trevor McCormick on Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, as this will be my first time being behind the scenes and not on the stage,” Martin claimed. “The cast is immensely talented, with some new faces along with some PLT alumni, and we are so looking forward to bringing a little bit of Christmas to PLT.”

Martin is also slated to take the leading director position for Honky Tonk Hissy Fit, which will hit the stage in April.

The Christmas production will run December 8, 9, 15, and 16. The Christmas show is always popular and PLT board members encourage interested patrons in getting their tickets early at www.pltlive.com

Reach Joseph Pratt at (740) 353-3101, by email at [email protected], © 2023 Portsmouth Daily Times, all rights reserved.