Debuting Artist: John Wilson

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John is taking the stage for the very first time with OpenStage for Misery!

 

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into theatre?

I mostly acted through grade school and college. My family moved around a lot, and I found that theater was a good way to find a community. Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, theater was one of the few truly inclusive spaces I could step into without feeling like an outsider. It was one of the things that made our frequent moves easier.

How did you first hear about OpenStage, and what drew you to work with us for this show?

I have been wanting to get back into performing for a while. My wife sent me the open call one day, and I was excited to give it a try.

What is your specific role or area of expertise for this show, and what excites you the most about working on this production?

In this show, I play Buster the sheriff. I really love this story. There is something visceral about Annie’s connection to Paul’s books, and we only really get to experience his work through her eyes. Whether or not Paul’s work is actually good is not important. It touched her, and through that experience, drove them both towards the brink.

What has been the most enjoyable or unexpected part of the rehearsal process so far?

I am surprised at how fun it is. I always found joy working on productions, but you never know if things will feel the same after a long absence. In a lot of ways, it’s like reconnecting with an old friend. It feels a lot like picking up right where we left off.

What has been the most challenging part of bringing this character to life?

My character is the exact opposite of who I am in a lot of ways. Playing a rural law enforcer has challenged me to set aside a lot of my personal experiences and really see the humanity in the character.

What makes this show a unique kind of play to work on?

There are only three of us in the show, and the power of it lies in our ability to make the characters compelling, especially for younger audiences who may not know the story.

Why do you think this show is relevant to audiences now and should be performed today?
I think it’s important for us to remember how easy it is to get caught up in our own fantasies. Sometimes, fantasy is therapeutic, but it is important to remember the difference between the world in our heads and the real world. As a nation, I feel like we are all in the mind of Annie Wilkes, and we have the choice to recognize reality or collapse under the weight of our delusions.
If you could swap roles with any other character in this play for a day, who would it be and why?

I love the role of Annie. There is so much power in her madness, so much ownership and control of her domain. It’s only in her lucid moments when she recognizes that she is moving towards self-destruction.

What is your favorite play and/or musical, and why?
Les Misérables is by far my favorite musical.  There is a lot of Paul and Annie inf the tension between Valjean and Javert. It is desperation, madness, and perseverance wrapped in a beautiful musical score, but in the case of Les Mis, law and order are the madness, and criminality is the pathway to salvation.
What is your favorite role you’ve played in the past?
 I once played the King in a production of The King and I. To this day, that character really speaks to me. Here was a man who was trying to prepare his family for the modern world while protecting the sovereignty of his country. He was powerful, and joyful, and fearful, and the turbulence between these qualities led him to be both regal and monstrous. There was real humanity in that character.
Is there a dream role or type of production you hope to work on in the future?

I love an anti-hero. I would love to play a truly flawed character just trying to do the right thing. I think those types of roles are the most human.

What do you like to do in your free time, when you’re not working on theatre projects?
During the summer, I love to work in the garden and hike with my dogs and kids. During the winter, I like to cross-country ski, and be grumpy about how long and cold the winters are here. I also practice kendo, volunteer with the Humane Society, and am working on a novel.
Misery
By William Goldman
Based on the novel by Stephen King
Directed by Jacob Offen
November 1-29, 2025
Playing at The Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre
Colorado. A secluded cabin. A total nightmare. After a car crash leaves bestselling romance novelist, Paul Sheldon, stranded in a snowstorm, he’s rescued by Annie Wilkes, his “number one fan”. Unfortunately, her hospitality comes with VERY strict rules. When Annie learns Paul has killed off her favorite character, she insists he fix his mistake… or else! Stephen King’s Misery is a razor-edged thriller about fandom gone feral and the terrifying price of rewriting a story someone doesn’t want to end.
Content/Atmosphere Warning: Contains adult language, adult themes, violence, gore. For specific questions on content, please contact info@openstage.com
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