The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre's 2007 season has been a lot of laughs, but things will take a darker tone when the theater presents "Misery," which runs from Aug. 17 to 26 and closes the summer portion of the season.

Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, the story may also be familiar to those who saw the film adaptation which won Kathy Bates an Academy Award for Best Actress. "Misery" tells the story of writer Paul Sheldon, who is held captive in a remote cabin by obsessed fan Annie Wilkes.

"On the surface 'Misery' is a spine-tingling thriller," said Quin Gresham, Lyceum Artistic Director and director of the production. "But there is definitely something more than masochism at play here."

Gresham said "Misery" is one of his favorite Stephen King stories, one he believes is also a bit autobiographical on King's part.

"No doubt he has been exposed to a multitude of Annies who, with an unfounded sense of entitlement, demanded that he write the stories that they would like to read," Gresham said. "Could it be that Mr. King feels as trapped as Paul Sheldon by the demands of his readership and holds a deep desire to be respected as much as he is read?"

In addition to being unique in its tone, "Misery" also differs from earlier productions this season in the size of its cast, which consists of Alan Ball as Paul and Michele Burdette Elmore as Annie.

"Misery" is Ball's Lyceum debut, but he is a veteran of more than 150 productions on stages in the United States, Canada and Europe. His favorite roles include Adams in "1776," George in "Of Mice and Men" and Ché in "Evita."

Elmore is also new to the Lyceum stage, though her credits are numerous. They include the role of Mrs. Baskin in "Big, The Musical," Ma Strong in "Urinetown, the Musical" and roles in "A Little Night Music" and "Closer Than Ever."

Lyceum veterans Randy Winder and John Metzner lend their talents to the production, serving as the lighting designer and costume designer, respectively. Winder's lighting work has already been seen this season in the productions of "Sugar," "The Sunshine Boys" and "The Philadelphia Story." Metzner has also been busy this season, designing the costumes for "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Philadelphia Story."

The scenic design for the production was created by Adam Miecielica. Miecielica's stage designs have been featured on the cover of "Theatre Design and Technology" and inside the pages of "American Theatre" magazine. His work designing the set for "Harvey" was also seen at the Lyceum Theatre last season and he designed the set for "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" this season.

Gresham said the terrifyingly good culmination of his talented cast and designers won't be the only thing audiences will like.

"They'll also enjoy the edge of their seat," he said. "That's all of it they'll need."

Following Misery's conclusion, the Lyceum's fall portion of the season begins Sept. 5 - 16 with "Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming." The season draws to a close Sept. 26 - Oct. 7 with "Children of a Lesser God."

Tickets for each production are available through the Lyceum's Web site at www.lyceumtheatre.org or by calling the box office at 660-837-3311. The box office is now running on its summer schedule, allowing patrons to call between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays. On Wednesdays with no performances, the box office closes at 5 p.m.