ABOUT THIS SHOw
A highly-anticipated collaboration between three theatre legends
Ensemble Member Laurie Metcalf comes home to Steppenwolf to star in Little Bear Ridge Road (formerly Untitled), a comic, cosmic and intimate world premiere, penned by MacArthur Fellow Samuel D. Hunter and directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello.
In the outer limits of rural Idaho, the last two estranged members of the Fernsby family tree, a reclusive aunt and her gay nephew, reunite to sort the mess left behind after a troubled father's passing. They now face an uncomfortable and universal question: how do we deal with other people? And is connection more trouble than it’s worth? As their relationship begins anew, the two reluctant Fernsbys—separated by age and experience—start to understand the joys and perils of letting someone else into your own story, even if only for a moment.
Little Bear Ridge Road will be performed in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theater.
Watch & Listen
Running Time
Due to the high volume and wide breadth of work we present, we are often not able to proactively offer content advisories for individual performances. However, if you have specific concerns about stage effects (such as strobe lights or fog/haze) that might have a bearing on comfort or well-being, or if you would like to know more about the age appropriateness of the performance, please contact the box office at 312-335-1650.
Digital Program
Additional Information
Cast & Artists
The Artists
- Playwright Samuel D. Hunter
- Director Joe Mantello
- Scenic Design Scott Pask
- Costume Design Jessica Pabst
- Lighting Design Heather Gilbert
- Sound Design Mikhail Fiksel
- Dramaturg John Baker
- Voice and Text Coach Gigi Buffington
- Creative Producer Patrick Zakem
- Producing Director Tom Pearl
- Casting JC Clementz
- Production Stage Manager Laura D. Glenn
- Assistant Stage Manager Jaclynn Joslin
Featured Ensemble Members
- Sarah - Laurie Metcalf
The Cast
- James/Kenny - John Drea
- Paulette/Vickie - Meighan Gerachis
- Ethan - Micah Stock
- Understudy - Chad Bay
- Understudy - Mara Casey
- Understudy - Mary Beth Fisher
- Understudy - Evan Mulrooney
Reviews
"★★★★—I can’t overstate how good it is to see [Laurie Metcalf], a consummate Chicago-style actor, back in the city that made her famous because it fell in love with her honesty."
- Chicago Tribune
"★★★★—This is a deeply beautiful piece of writing... brought to brilliant life, and eventually explosive drama, by [Laurie] Metcalf and [Micah] Stock under the precise, elegant direction of Joe Mantello."
- Chicago Sun-Times
"★★★★—Chicago theatre at the height of its powers."
- Daily Herald
"For Metcalf... [the] exceptional world premiere is a career highlight in a career of highlights."
- Chicago Reader
"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED; NO, THE HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!"
- PAUL LISNEK, WGN RADIO
"Ranges from laugh-out-loud hilarious to emotionally devastating simplicity."
- Queerty
Little Bear Ridge Road is "a remarkable examination of... the delicateness and messiness of humanity."
- Broadway World
Audio-Described and Touch Tour:
Sunday, July 7 at 3pm
(1:30pm touch tour, 3pm curtain)
Open-Captioned:
Saturday, July 13 at 3pm
Thursday, July 18 at 7:30pm
ASL-Interpreted:
Sunday, July 28 at 7:30pm
Past Community Events
An intimate conversation with playwright Samuel D. Hunter
A FREE Event hosted at The Understudy- 5531 N. Clark St.
Monday, June 17
7:00PM | Doors Open
7:30PM | Event Begins
Join Steppenwolf Theatre for a conversation with Chicago Tribune Chief Theater Critic Chris Jones and MacArthur Fellow Samuel D. Hunter, playwright of Steppenwolf’s upcoming world premiere of Little Bear Ridge Road.
*This conversations is FREE, but space is extremely limited and RSVPs are required.
Sponsors
Welcome to our Ensemble
Steppenwolf prides itself on being one of the premiere ensemble theaters in America. Being in an ensemble means being open to perspectives that differ from our own, being willing to allow multiple truths to exist and, perhaps most importantly, being open to change.
By visiting Steppenwolf, you agree to adhere to the theatre’s Patron Code of Conduct and Health and Safety Protocols.