Entitled "Little Bear Ridge Road," Samuel D. Hunter's acclaimed play, renowned for its intimate cast and poignant exploration of loneliness, compassion, and the quest for connection between an aunt and her nephew amidst the rustic landscapes of Idaho, will grace Broadway this autumn. Starring the talented Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock, this production, helmed by directorial veteran Joe Mantello of "Wicked" fame, marks a triumphant return to Broadway for producer Scott Rudin. In 2021, amid allegations of bullying towards assistants and others, Rudin temporarily halted his producing endeavors and resigned from the Broadway League. However, he now returns alongside billionaire media mogul Barry Diller, a frequent patron of his productions.
Scheduled to commence previews on October 7 and open on October 30 at the Booth Theater for an exclusive 18-week run, "Little Bear Ridge Road" promises to enchant audiences. Hunter, whose playwriting prowess is most evident in "The Whale," a 2022 film adaptation, drew inspiration from his Idaho upbringing, where many of his plays are set and often feature socially marginalized working-class characters. This marks Hunter's Broadway debut as a playwright.
In a telephone interview, Hunter revealed, "My initial spark for penning this play—which I confided to Joe and Laurie, and I am eternally grateful for their unwavering faith in me despite my revelation—stemmed from a desire to craft a drama centered around people watching television. This was the foundation upon which the play rested, but it evolved into a narrative about an aunt and nephew with a nearly non-existent relationship, burdened by a painful past, who find themselves holed up together during the pandemic, both striving to navigate a profoundly intricate reality."
Hunter penned the play at the behest of Metcalf and Mantello, whom he had yet to meet but who reached out, hoping he would consider creating something for them. This actress-director duo is renowned for their frequent collaborations, each adorned with two Tony Awards: she for "A Doll’s House, Part 2" and "Three Tall Women," and he for "Assassins" and "Take Me Out." Hunter eagerly embraced the challenge.
Named after the road where Hunter's father resides, the play premiered last year at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater Company, with Metcalf and Stock reprising their lead roles. The production garnered rave reviews; Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune hailed it as "a beautifully personal play," while Steven Oxman of The Chicago Sun-Times described it as "bleakly humorous, poetic in its simplicity, achingly empathetic towards its characters, brought to vibrant life, and ultimately culminating in an explosive drama."
Amid the complexities surrounding Rudin's Broadway comeback, Steppenwolf has chosen not to participate in the Broadway transfer. In a statement, the theater's leadership expressed, "Steppenwolf is proud to have commissioned the world premiere of 'Little Bear Ridge Road' by Samuel D. Hunter. However, we have decided against taking a role in producing the Broadway production. We wish ensemble member Laurie Metcalf, director Joe Mantello, and Sam all the best."
When questioned about Rudin's involvement, Hunter expressed, "I am deeply grateful that we have the opportunity to bring this to Broadway. It wouldn't be happening without Scott. Before this journey, I didn't know him, but the Scott I've come to know is incredibly thoughtful, passionate, and laser-focused on the work."
