Little Bear Ridge Road

by Samuel D. Hunter

In the outer limits of rural Idaho, the last two estranged members of the Fernsby family tree, a reclusive aunt and her gay nephew, reunite to sort the mess left behind after a troubled father’s passing. They now face an uncomfortable and universal How do we deal with other people? And is connection more trouble than it’s worth? As their relationship begins anew, the two reluctant Fernsbys – separated by age and experience – ​start to understand the joys and perils of letting someone else into your own story, even if only for a moment.

Genres: Plays

88 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2026

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all of Hunter's published scripts, which is about twenty by now. This, his first to make it to Broadway (where it is currently nominated for a Best Play Tony and won the NY Drama Critics Circle Award), is amongst his finest. As with nearly all his works, it takes place in rural Idaho, and concerns the last two members of the Fernsby family: Sarah, a 60-something nurse who is facing terminal cancer and being made redundant; and her 30-ish nephew Ethan, an aspiring gay writer, who arrives to settle his recently deceased father's estate during the early days of Covid. Sounds bleak, and parts of it ARE, but there is also a great deal of humor here too. Wish I could have seen the original production which got nearly unanimous raves but struggled to find an audience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVPEL...

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/th...
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lif...
https://nypost.com/2025/10/30/enterta...
https://variety.com/2025/legit/review...

[Kenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s fine. Parts of it are engaging. I just wish Ethan hadn’t been such a cliche.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eloquently, realistic examination of family relationships. Portions might be dangerously relatable.

[Heather Bottoms · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two remaining family members of the Fernsby clan, an aunt and her nephew, are brought together after the death of the nephew’s father. They are both wounded people who struggle to connect, and yet they reluctantly attempt to forge a relationship amidst the disappointments of their lives. Unsentimental, raw, and surprisingly moving.

[John Geddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a very interesting look at two family members who want to connect and want to pull away at the same time. It’s somber but it feels very authentic. I would have liked more of a narrative, but it’s a show more focused on the characters than the plot or any easy answers.

2m/2w (3/3 without doubling cameos), mostly one location (a couch)

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Deeply wounded people trying to find their places in the world and with each other...and they are related! A human drama, wrapped in a family drama. Deeply moving, and utterly universal. A wonderful read! (Luckily seeing a production of this in the Spring!)

[Theo Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This felt masterful to me. So economical, so much history and such characterful relationships. Very special.

[Brian McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD is solid, character-driven 21st century American drama.

[Bill]

2M 2F - Story of a broken family, gay love, and the trauma we carry throughout our lives.

[Dan Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid play with an AMAZING main character.

[Taran Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Just beautiful.