PARKERSBURG — Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday for “Misery” at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg.

The play by William Goldman is based on the book by the same name by Stephen King written in 1987. A 1990 movie starred James Caan and Kathy Bates.

“Misery” is about romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash by a deranged fan, Annie Wilkes, who holds him captive in her secluded home. While Paul is recuperating, Annie reads his latest book and becomes enraged when she discovers he killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain.

She forces Paul to write a new novel and he quickly realizes she has no intention of letting him go. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it, and it does.

This production has only three roles: Paul Sheldon, Annie Wilkes and Sheriff Buster. Auditions will be held in the upstairs rehearsal hall where entry is through the black door on Market Street.

Paul Sheldon is a middle-aged author and can be arrogant, self-centered and obnoxious. During his time as Annie’s prisoner, Paul swings between utter terror, hopelessness and depression and inspiration, hope and bravery.

Annie Wilkes is a middle-aged former nurse living on a remote farm in Colorado. She considers herself a proper woman who dislikes cussing and conservatively dresses. She first seems as a caring, nurturing, albeit a bit eccentric, nurse to Paul. However, she claims she is his No. 1 fan and soon turns manic when she discovers Paul has killed off her favorite character.

Sheriff Buster is the middle-aged sheriff of Silver County, Colo. He has been searching for Paul and believes he survived the serious auto accident as no body was found.

The production staff for “Misery” includes David Grande as director, Jane Mancini as assistant director, Dayna Cooper as stage manager, Nathan Arnold as technical director, Nora Corra as production assistant and Dixie Showalter as adviser.

The show Sept. 13 and runs through Sept. 22. All shows are at 8 p.m. with the exception of the Sunday performances that are at 2:30 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://www.actors-guild.com/buy-tickets.html.

“Misery” is rated AGP-R and.contains strong language, stage violence and gore, guns, gunshots and other theatrical effects.