Samuel D. Hunter's Plays Illuminate Rural-Urban Divide in LA
Samuel D. Hunter, the playwright celebrated for works like 'The Whale' and 'Little Bear Ridge Road,' currently has two productions in Los Angeles. 'Grangeville' is being showcased at the Ruskin Group Theatre and has been extended until September 21, while 'A Case for the Existence of God' is presented at the Henry Murray Stage of Matrix Theater by Rogue Machine. Both plays delve into issues such as the rural-urban divide, faith, parenting, and financial instability. Set in a Twin Falls, Idaho mortgage broker's office, 'A Case for the Existence of God' features two single fathers and is directed by John Perrin Flynn, starring Nicholas Anthony Reid and Carlo Mancasola. Hunter's Broadway debut, 'Little Bear Ridge Road,' was awarded best play for the 2025-26 season, and he relies on screenwriting for his income and health coverage.
Key facts
- Samuel D. Hunter has two plays running in Los Angeles: 'Grangeville' and 'A Case for the Existence of God'.
- 'Grangeville' is extended at Ruskin Group Theatre through Sept. 21.
- 'A Case for the Existence of God' opened at the Matrix Theater's Henry Murray Stage, produced by Rogue Machine.
- Hunter is known for 'The Whale', adapted into a 2022 film starring Brendan Fraser.
- His Broadway debut 'Little Bear Ridge Road' was named best play of the 2025-26 season by the New York Drama Critics' Circle.
- Hunter's plays are set in Idaho, where he was raised.
- He lives in New York City with his husband and daughter.
- He relies on screenwriting for income and health insurance via the Writers Guild of America.
- John Perrin Flynn directed 'A Case for the Existence of God' for Rogue Machine.
- The play features actors Nicholas Anthony Reid and Carlo Mancasola.
Entities
Artists
- Samuel D. Hunter
- Brendan Fraser
- Laurie Metcalf
- Joe Mantello
- Tim Cummings
- Jeff LeBeau
- Nicholas Anthony Reid
- Carlo Mancasola
- John Perrin Flynn
- Elina De Santos
- Marsha Norman
- Thornton Wilder
- Tony Kushner
- Edward Albee
- Saul Steinberg
Institutions
- Ruskin Group Theatre
- Rogue Machine
- Matrix Theater
- New York Drama Critics' Circle
- Steppenwolf Theatre Company
- Writers Guild of America
- NYU
- University of Iowa
- Juilliard
Locations
- Los Angeles
- New York City
- Idaho
- Moscow
- Twin Falls
- Lewiston
- Manhattan
- Upper West Side
- Inwood
- United States