Photos: Laurie Metcalf, Samuel D. Hunter, More Celebrate Broadway Opening Night for Little Bear Ridge Road
The new play from the The Whale playwright opened October 30 at the Booth Theatre.
Samuel D. Hunter and Laurie Metcalf
Emilio Madrid
The Broadway premiere of Samuel D. Hunter‘s Little Bear Ridge Road celebrated opening night at the Booth Theatre October 30. See the cast—led by Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock—along with playwright Hunter (making his Broadway debut) at the special evening in the gallery below.
Read what critics had to say about the production, a transfer from Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, here.
Tony winner Joe Mantello is again directing the new play, which takes place in rural Idaho as an estranged aunt and nephew reunite following the passing of a family patriarch. Also back from that premiere run are stars Metcalf as Sarah, Stock as Ethan, John Drea as James, and Meighan Gerachis as Paulette. Understudies Jack Ball, Mary Beth Fisher, and Aubie Merrylees round out the company. Casting is by JC Clementz.
READ: After 14 Years Away, Laurie Metcalf Is Back in Chicago Leading Little Bear Ridge Road
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Photos: Little Bear Ridge Road Opening Night
Photos: Little Bear Ridge Road Opening Night
10 PHOTOS
Company of Little Bear Ridge Road
Emilio Madrid
Samuel D. Hunter and Laurie Metcalf
Emilio Madrid
John Drea, Laurie Metcalf, Samuel D. Hunter, and Micah Stock
Emilio Madrid
Laurie Metcalf, Samuel D. Hunter, and Joe Mantello
Emilio Madrid
Meighan Gerachis, John Drea, and Laurie Metcalf
Emilio Madrid
Meighan Gerachis, John Drea, Laurie Metcalf, and Micah Stock
Emilio Madrid
The production also brings producer Scott Rudin back to Broadway, bringing the play to the Main Stem alongside Barry Diller. Rudin has been largely absent from the industry since reports emerged of his abusive behavior to subordinates behind the scenes. Though such reports have been published periodically over his career, Rudin stepped away from his professional life following 2021 articles in The Hollywood Reporter and New York Magazine. Published in the wake of the #MeToo movement, both resulted in renewed calls for Rudin to be barred from the industry. Rudin ultimately announced that he would “step back” from Broadway productions and film projects and resign from The Broadway League, installing Kate Horton as executive producer of his then-developing Broadway revival of The Music Man. That revival would open at the Winter Garden Theatre in 2022 starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. Little Bear Ridge Road is Rudin’s first official step back. And according to earlier reports, Rudin has more projects waiting in the wings.
Steppenwolf Theatre, a producer on last season’s Tony-winning Best Play Purpose and the institution that commissioned Little Bear Ridge Road, is not producing the Broadway transfer.
Mantello has reassembled his Steppenwolf creative team for Broadway, including scenic designer Scott Pask, costume designer Jessica Pabst, lighting designer Heather Gilbert, and sound designer Mikhail Fiksel. William Joseph Barnes is production stage manager.
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Photos: Little Bear Ridge Road on Broadway
Photos: Little Bear Ridge Road on Broadway
6 PHOTOS
Micah Stock, Laurie Metcalf, and John Drea in Little Bear Ridge Road
Julieta Cervantes
Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock in Little Bear Ridge Road
Julieta Cervantes
Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock in Little Bear Ridge Road
Julieta Cervantes
Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock in Little Bear Ridge Road
Julieta Cervantes
Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock in Little Bear Ridge Road
Julieta Cervantes
Laurie Metcalf in Little Bear Ridge Road
Julieta Cervantes