North Carolina Stage Company brings Stephen King's psychological thriller Misery to downtown Asheville for a three-week run leading up to Halloween weekend. Performances are Wednesdays through Sundays, October 14 through November 1, with matinee and evening shows. 

After a car crash, bestselling novelist Paul Sheldon wakes in the home of Annie Wilkes, his self-described number one fan. She nurses him back to health, until she reads his latest manuscript. Adapted for the stage by William Goldman from his own screenplay, the play is a tense battle of wills with a darkly funny streak. 

Director and NC Stage co-founder Charlie Flynn-McIver says the show's technical effects are an exciting challenge. Content advisory: stage violence, a simulated gunshot, and strong language. Recommended for ages 16 and up. 

Tickets are $27–$54 plus tax and fees; students pay $15. Choose Your Price Nights are October 14–16. Call 828-239-0263 or visit the website.