Journey Through “Little Bear Ridge Road” at Steppenwolf Chicago Theatre
Inside the dim theater lights, anticipation was running high. The entire room grew silent when spotlight turned ot the stage of “Little Bear Ridge Road,” and I fell into the Fernsby family’s world at once.
Laurie Metcalf took me from her first entrance. The portrayal of this sunset-dwelling old lady was not just acting; it was a complete embodiment of someone who had withdrawn from society. I could feel her loneliness, her wish to sever connections. It was If she could be alone for a long time, maybe forever. No contagious fever had days to dance into the fortress she constructed one brick at a time for quite a while, COVID was just another nudge to that direction; now nothing and nobody could breach those walls. That’s how good her portrayal was. I forgot she was Laurie Metcalf; she simply turned into the character.
One scene that I was particularly impressed by was when the nephew finally confronted his aunt. The tension in the air was almost visible as he asked why she had left him when he most needed her. Aunt's struggle to respond was deeply moving. She stumbled over words, trying to explain but finding no answer, ended with "I failed you, I was just simply not the person you want me to be at the time."It raised the question, what are expectations worth? And what does it mean to fail them?
It struck me that her character’s current isolation in rural Idaho was closely connected to her past failures, where I do feel the playwright could do a better job to make the connection. Actually, her retreats were not just physical; they extended into the area of emotions and ethics as well. She had been thwarted many times and finally decided to get away from it all, so that for her solitude became a kind of relief. This touched me deeply, because it made me think about how all people strive to endure our own failures and disappointments.
The play deals beautifully with human relationships and the lengths to which we go in order to protect ourselves from future pain. It raises questions about the nature and value of connection. As I saw the characters slowly navigate their relationships, I could not help but think about my own bonds and the walls that too I built around myself.
It continued with the trend of minialistic set design, which I think sometimes could be risky for commercial reason, it set the stroytelling to a higher bar often. However, I do not mind the bare stage with a multifuncional sofa, it fits the story well. Lighting and set design was in perfect harmony, creating an immersive experience for the audience which made them feel that they were there with the characters sharing their journey.
“Little Bear Ridge Road” is not only a play; it is also an emotional journey that challenges you to contemplate your own life and relationships. Once more, Steppenwolf Theatre has brought us a powerful thoughtprovoking show.At the end of this ride If you’re looking for a performance that makes you laugh and cry — and think long after its over — this one’s for you!
Leaving the theater, I felt a sense of catharsis. The play had stirred up emotions and thoughts I hadn’t experienced for a long time. This is a reminder of the power of theatre not only to entertain but also to heal and inspire self-examination.
