Steppenwolf welcomes Laurie Metcalf home in the beautifully tragic Little Bear Ridge Road
Little Bear Ridge Road
THEATRE REVIEW
By Rudy S.
Headliner Chicago
THEATRE REVIEW
By Rudy S.
Headliner Chicago
Little Bear Ridge Road is a beautifully tragic look inside one family's life that really strikes a haunting chord on the theme of isolation. Original ensemble member Laurie Metcalf makes her return to the stage here in Chicago. It's been 14 years since Metcalf has appeared in a Steppenwolf production and audiences were eager to welcome her back with open arms.
The world premiere was made possible by Metcalf and director Joe Mantello who asked playwright Samuel D. Hunter (The Whale) to write a show for the two of them. According to Hunter, this show had been in his mind since 2019, but set it shortly after the start of the pandemic. While the pandemic does not play a major role, our first scene when Sarah (Laurie Metcalf) and her nephew Ethan (Micah Stock) appear on stage for the first time, he's wearing a mask and she's cleaning with a disinfectant wipe. They are brought together because Ethan is coming back to settle his dad's estate after his father's passing, the man who is also Sarah's brother.
The world premiere was made possible by Metcalf and director Joe Mantello who asked playwright Samuel D. Hunter (The Whale) to write a show for the two of them. According to Hunter, this show had been in his mind since 2019, but set it shortly after the start of the pandemic. While the pandemic does not play a major role, our first scene when Sarah (Laurie Metcalf) and her nephew Ethan (Micah Stock) appear on stage for the first time, he's wearing a mask and she's cleaning with a disinfectant wipe. They are brought together because Ethan is coming back to settle his dad's estate after his father's passing, the man who is also Sarah's brother.
photo courtesy of Steppenwolf Theatre
From the first few lines, we find out Ethan is gay and living in Seattle. He also mentions that he feels they've never really been close to his aunt because he's gay, his aunt is quick to dispel that saying 'it's the most interesting thing about him.' One of the first tell-tale signs of their dynamic is that Ethan refers to his aunt as Sarah, and never by Aunt Sarah. Because Ethan never refers to Sarah as aunt, we get the sign that division between the two runs deep.
Ethan's initial plan is to stay back in town for a few weeks before going back to Seattle, We later find out that he's there for longer than anticipated. We also find Ethan single in Moscow, and looking for some company on the dating apps, looking more for fun than a deep connection. He meets James, an aspiring astrophysicist who appears to be very grounded with big aspirations, who really likes Ethan but is hoping for something more. The role of James is played by John Drea who makes his Steppenwolf debut.
Meighan Gerachis portrays a few roles in the show, but only has one small scene on stage. The show is set in rural Idaho around playwright Samuel D. Hunter's hometown. The concept of auto fiction does come up in the show and makes the audience wonder how much of this story is based on Hunter's own experiences.
Ethan's initial plan is to stay back in town for a few weeks before going back to Seattle, We later find out that he's there for longer than anticipated. We also find Ethan single in Moscow, and looking for some company on the dating apps, looking more for fun than a deep connection. He meets James, an aspiring astrophysicist who appears to be very grounded with big aspirations, who really likes Ethan but is hoping for something more. The role of James is played by John Drea who makes his Steppenwolf debut.
Meighan Gerachis portrays a few roles in the show, but only has one small scene on stage. The show is set in rural Idaho around playwright Samuel D. Hunter's hometown. The concept of auto fiction does come up in the show and makes the audience wonder how much of this story is based on Hunter's own experiences.
photo courtesy of Steppenwolf Theatre
The set is simplistic with a couch and a few small movable props, which makes the words even more powerful. With Laurie Metcalf, you can feel an audience reaction to every inflection and word that she says, that's met with a laughter, a sigh or some type of reaction. Micah Stock is also incredible as an aloof, yet damaged and honest person who often feels like he's carrying the weight of the world, without any chance to escape. John Drea is an amazing local talent who shines in this production and I can only imagine the roles that are in his future.
There are so many emotions to this show when it comes to small towns, family, drug use, relationship baggage, dreams. Some of the biggest conversations we can take away from the show are 'can we support someone else's dreams if we don't support our own?' and 'do we ever heal from the past?'
There are so many emotions to this show when it comes to small towns, family, drug use, relationship baggage, dreams. Some of the biggest conversations we can take away from the show are 'can we support someone else's dreams if we don't support our own?' and 'do we ever heal from the past?'
3.5 stars (out of four)
Little Bear Ridge Road
Now Playing through August 4
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N. Halsted
Chicago, Illinois
www.steppenwolf.org
Little Bear Ridge Road
Now Playing through August 4
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N. Halsted
Chicago, Illinois
www.steppenwolf.org