**** Highly Recommended Steppenwolf Theatre’s latest production, Little Bear Ridge Road, is an intimate family drama fraught with angst. Samuel D. Hunter’s exploration of the relationship – or lack thereof – of the last two members of the Fernsby family is both funny and poignant in large part due to the brilliant give-and-take between Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock. My comment to my friend Nancy at the end - “Wow!” 4 BIG Spotlights
Ethan Fernsby (Micah Stock) has reluctantly returned to rural Idaho to deal with the aftermath of his father’s death. His only remaining relative is his cantankerous and very independent Aunt Sarah (Laurie Metcalf), a nurse at the local hospital. Sarah is bad-tempered and argumentative with everyone and see no reason to change just because her nephew is in town.
Sarah reminisces about taking Ethan to games and school programs but Ethan doesn’t buy it. He grew up with an abusive drunken father, and even though he begged, Sarah refused to get him out of his father’s house.
Ethan was a gay unpublished writer with writer’s block who worked in a bookstore because he wanted to be near books. He was ready to leave Idaho but when he found out Sarah had cancer, he decided to stay and help her even though she told him to leave. Then the Covid quarantine started and they had to figure out how to get along.
When the quarantine was starting to lift, Ethan went to a local bar where he met James (John Drea), who was working on his Master’s degree, and fell in love. When James got a fellowship to the University of Chicago he asked Ethan to move with him.
John Drea also played Sarah’s friend Kenny. Meighan Gerachis plays Paulette and Vicki.
The events on Little Bear Ridge Road are played out on a cushy white leather sofa against a black background. The sofa, which even has a recliner at either end, rotates every so often, ending in a slightly different position indicating a scene change.
Little Bear Ridge Road has been extended through August 4th in the Downstairs Theatre at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted Street, Chicago. Self-parking is available in the Steppenwolf Garage, accessible parking in the lot north of Front Bar. Valet parking is also available.
Running time is 95 minutes, no intermission. Performances are Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 3:00 & 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm. Accessible performances: Audio-described & touch tour, Sunday, July 7th at 3:00 pm (1:30 pm touch tour); Open-captioned, Saturday, July 13th at 3:00 pm and Thursday, July 18th at 7:30 pm; ASL-interpreted, Friday, July 12th at 7:30 pm. Tickets range from $20-$138. FYI (312) 335-1650 or www.steppenwolf.org.