Celebrating the fact that its latest production, "Misery," began its life as a book, the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre will host a book drive throughout the show's run.

"We're doing it because it's our belief that we have a unique situation in that we have the ability to get the word out to quite a few people," said Jessica Clements, Lyceum marketing director. "This area has been very generous to the theater with continued support, and we feel that's only fair to return that support."

Clements said that many of the areas school and public libraries rely on donations to help keep their collections up to date and one school in particular is currently in need of assistance.

"Last winter, the Blackwater school library lost numerous books to a pipe that broke," she said.

During the run of "Misery," Aug. 17 to 26, patrons can bring their donations to theater and place them in a special drop box located in the lobby.

"We will gladly accept all books -- new, used, children's or adults'," Clements said. Once the books are collected, they will be distributed to local school and public libraries.

Those who make a donation will receive a voucher worth $10 off the admission to either "Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming," or "Children of a Lesser God."

"When I was in high school, I worked in my local library and saw first hand how many of the books in smaller libraries come from donations," Clements said. "If we can make the public aware of that, I think that this project could keep benefiting local libraries. And, it just might be an annual event for us."

The Lyceum's production of "Misery" features the talents of Lyceum newcomers Alan Ball as Paul Sheldon and Michele Burdette Elmore as Annie Wilkes.

Ball is a veteran who has appeared in more than 150 productions on stages in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Elmore's credits include the role of Mrs. Baskin in "Big, The Musical." The 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.