Blaine Community Theater brings “Misery” to life

Blaine Community Theater’s (BCT) small but dedicated cast and crew take over Blaine High School’s Black Box Theater on Friday, October, 27 for the opening night of “Misery.”

Showings will continue for two consecutive weekends, October 27 through Sunday, October 29 and again from Friday, November 3 to Sunday, November 5. Standard tickets are $17.70, with discounts available for students, veterans and seniors.

The Friday and Saturday shows start at 7 p.m. and the Sunday matinee begins at 2 p.m. More information about times and pricing is available on BCT’s website at bit.ly/3rL0XDv.

While the group prides itself on catering to a family-friendly audience, actress Megan Claire Bradshaw admits things get gory in the latest production. The show is not recommended for audiences under the age of 14.

Director Nick McDonald refers to BCT as nomadic because the group’s practice space often rotates. It takes a special kind of actor to be as adaptable as his cast, he said.

“We are a rogue theater. We do not have a home, so everybody is kind of … scrappy,” Bradshaw said. “If you’re going to be involved in this sort of thing, you’ve got to be scrappy and have a real passion for it.”

The show, which playwright William Goldman adapted for the stage from Stephen King’s 1997 novel, centers around famed author Paul Sheldon, played by BCT newcomer Brennan Krieger. After surviving a car crash, Sheldon finds himself in a remote home, under the care and increasing instability of his biggest fan, Annie Wilkes, played by Bradshaw and her understudy Lori Auriemma.

After being involved with theater for most of her life, Bradshaw found BCT in time for last year’s Halloween production of “Wyrd Sisters” and enjoyed her time on stage as well as painting sets and prepping costumes.

Krieger is also no stranger to the community theater scene, having performed in his home state of Mississippi and later Wisconsin before moving to Blaine during the pandemic.

“I’m really excited to be a part of something new for me and help continue to grow the BCT community,” he said.

Opening night will offer 10 percent off tickets and a gala event with snacks and raffle prizes.

BCT’s next production, a 16-song musical titled “The Man Who Saved Christmas” will open curtains on December 8.

Those interested in finding ways to get involved, including as stagehands for “Misery” can reach out via email at blainecommunitytheater@gmail.com.

“Every show that I’ve done with BCT is always a new experience, “ said Jacob Hall, who plays a law enforcement officer named Buster. “Even when you’re working with the same people you’ve worked with previously, to watch them become a new character … it’s an amazing experience.”