Little Bear Ridge Road

 Little Bear Ridge Road
Booth Theatre
November 22, 2025

Photo courtesy of Little Bear Ridge Road

Playwright Samuel D. Hunter has outdone himself with Little Bear Ridge Road.   His characters are emotionally raw and intensely self-protective.  Director Joe Mantello creates moments that give the audience focused insight into the characters.  As the relationships deepen, the characters soften, exposing more of what they fight to hide from themselves and one another.  The outcome is a visceral understanding of their fears, needs, and hopes.

Ethan (played by Micah Stock) returns to his rural hometown in Idaho after his father passes.  He needs to sell his father’s house but first has to get the deed to the property from Sarah, his father’s sister (played by Laurie Metcalf).  Knowing he has no place to stay and very little money, Sarah invites him to stay with her until his business is complete.  She makes it very clear that she doesn’t like having people in her house.  Not having seen one another or spoken in many years, they navigate carefully.  After his father’s house is sold, Ethan discovers that Sarah is ill.  He feels he should stay to care for her.  She refuses his help, but since he has no place else to go, he stays for two years.  During that time, they face uncomfortable truths that have emotionally stifled them for decades. 

Laurie Metcalf & Micah Stock
Photo courtesy of Little Bear Ridge Road

Micah Stock and Laurie Metcalf are riveting in the roles of Ethan and Sarah.  They continually talk
about how they are the last of their family line, then promptly respond with how little it matters to either of them.  Regardless of what they say, their connection feels vital.  They are linked and in dire need of one another, even though their dialogue and tone say differently.  It is this contradiction that draws the audience into the action of the play.  We yearn for them to be honest and direct, yet they are incapable of opening up.  It is brilliantly written and directed, and these two actors deliver outstanding performances. 

Laurie Metcalf, John Drea, & Micah Stock
Photo courtesy of Little Bear Ridge Road

John Drea plays James, who becomes Ethan’s boyfriend over the two years he is staying with Sarah.  James is optimistic and full of life, polar opposite to Sarah and Ethan.  Mr. Drea finds a way to make this a natural complement to Ms. Metcalf and Mr. Stock’s portrayal of their characters.  Their combined energies fill this dark journey with obstacles and opportunities that emotionally engage every member of the audience.

Little Bear Ridge Road is a skillfully crafted piece of theatre.  The play was commissioned by and received its world premiere at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company.  The production is unique in many ways, from the stark, simple set to the genuine portrayal of the need for human contact and emotional healing. 

Little Bear Ridge Road is playing at the Booth Theatre through February 15.  You’ve got to see it! 

Domenick Danza

Greater Clements

Greater Clements

Lincoln Center Theater

The Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater

December 7, 2019

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Samuel D. Hunter’s new play Greater Clements is a moving and powerful story of the long-term effects of inactivity and denial.  The characters are richly developed, facing weighty challenges and life altering decisions.  Director Davis McCallum keeps the action moving in this two hour and forty minute play.  He rivets your attention and utilizes the entire theatre space to create the perfect atmosphere to draw you in.  The cast, led by Judith Ivey, all deliver flawless performances, fully bringing Mr. Hunter’s heart felt writing to life. 

Photo courtesy of Lioncoln Center Theater

The people in the small town of Clements Falls, Idaho have voted to dissolve the township.  What was once a thriving mining town will very soon not exist.  The territory will become part of the county, leaving longtime residents with a lack of identity.  Maggie (played by Judith Ivey) is closing the mine tour office and museum.  Her son Joe (played by Edmund Donovan) has recently returned to town after living on the streets in Alaska.  When Maggie’s high school sweetheart Billy (played by Ken Narasaki) passes through and stops in for a visit, she is faced with a surprising opportunity for a new beginning.  Billy’s granddaughter, Kel (played by Haley Sakamoto), is with him.  Kal carries some emotional baggage.  When combined with Joe’s past, this creates a problem.  In order to move forward, they all need to face the darkness that has been passed on through decades of silence and denial.

Judith Ivey & Edmund Donovan
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Judith Ivey is magnificent in this role.  Her character links every element of the story, and Ms. Ivey keeps the audience focused on the action.  Edmund Donovan creates a potent empathy for Joe’s character.  Each scene exposes a deeper layer of his past, and Mr. Donovan plays every layer truthfully.  He and Ms. Ivey are amazing together.  Their mother/son bond is strong and genuine.  They are the heart of the story.  There are also strong performance by Andrew Garman, Nina Hellman, Kate MacCluggage, Ken Narasaki, and Haley Sakamoto.  Together this cast creates the urgency of this small town spiraling to extinction.

Judith Ivey & Ken Narasaki
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Dane Laffrey’s set brilliantly creates the illusion of the multi-level locale.  This heightens the visceral understanding of the depth each character needs to go in order to face their truth.  The concept utilizes the audience space.  It expands the playing area and successfully pulls the audience into the center of the dramatic action.   

Samuel D. Hunter has written a play that is well worth seeing.  He makes a strong thematic statement of how denial and silence begets impotence in future generations.  It will make you questions your complacency with inactivity.  It is a significant work and an enthralling experience.  Greater Clements is playing at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E Newhouse through January 19. 

Domenick Danza