A Brokeback Mountain Musical

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 2:27pm

I think they need to start working on this ASAP. It would be perfect. I feel it would have a good amount appeal, especially from the theatre crowd. This Show could also work with no to a relatively small ensemble, which I’m sure will be a popular trend after the shutdown. You can plop name stars in the two male roles or wives at any point in the run to keep it chugging along. I’d also love to see Kacey Musgraves hop into the theatre scene writing the score for this.

Updated On: 6/19/20 at 02:27 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 2:28pm

Who is "they"?

Also, did anyone here see the opera? I've seen clips, but am wondering what people thought.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 2:43pm

LizzieCurry said: "Who is "they"?

Also, did anyone here see the opera? I've seen clips, but am wondering what people thought."

I guess whoever owns the theatrical rights. It would probably be Universal, I’d guess.

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 2:45pm

I do believe it could be a great musical with the right creative team.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 2:46pm

I watched the opera, which is available to stream on BroadwayHD. It definitely felt like a contemporary opera: lots of jumping intervals and seemingly random melodies/recitative, not many true arias, the musical world didn't match the setting. Ennis isn't really a great character to write for in an opera since he's so reticent. While not altogether successful in my opinion, I think the story itself lends itself to opera quite well and the singers playing Ennis and Jack were impressive.

I do think it would fare better as a musical, where the orchestra, singing style, and aural atmosphere can better put the audience in the world of the story. If "they" figure out how to do this, I'd be intrigued to see the result.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 3:26pm

The lead of the movie barely utters two words. Why make him sing? This sounds like a camp flop in the making. Can’t wait to hear “Quit You” with four key changes and an ensemble of chorus boys in cowboy boots with taps. I see a mezzanine of gays sipping overpriced cocktails with plastic lassos for stirrers.

After Tootsie, I am officially over movies being made into musicals. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. What is the point?

[joevitus]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 3:29pm

^^

This.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 3:30pm

TotallyEffed said: "I see a mezzanine of gays sipping overpriced cocktails with plastic lassos for stirrers."

Mezzanine? They'll be trying to sit as close as possible hoping to catch a better glimpse of that moment when Ennis fulfills that porn fantasy trope that a little spit is all you need.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 3:35pm

Never, ever going to happen.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 3:55pm

AEA AGMA SM said: "TotallyEffed said: "I see a mezzanine of gays sipping overpriced cocktails with plastic lassos for stirrers."

Mezzanine? They'll be trying to sit as close as possible hoping to catch a better glimpse of that moment when Ennis fulfills that porn fantasy trope that a little spit is all you need."

Fair point. Excited to hear “A Little Spit (Reprise)” though.

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 4:19pm

Call_me_jorge said: "You can plop name stars in the two male roles or wives at any point in the run to keep it chugging along."

Wouldn't that depend by the demands of the score?

Updated On: 6/18/20 at 04:19 PM

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 4:35pm

Somewhat related, I'd love to see some kind of musical based off of Casa Susanna and/or the play Fierstein wrote based on it, Casa Valentina.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 6:11pm

I’d rather see a Love, Simon musical. That one had a happy ending.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 6:18pm

People would actually go see Love, Simon if it was a musical. It is mainstream, fun, and all about love and acceptance. The Inheritance proved that a show about depressed gay men cannot be support by only LGBTQIA New Yorkers long term. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 6:19pm

Only if they let Randy Quaid back into Equity so he can reprise his film role.

I've often hoped someone (JRB? Jeanine Tesori?) would take a stab at it. The premise is not far off from BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY...and like BRIDGES, I fear it would be overblown with side characters on stage. It's such an intimate story, but Ang Lee gave it such a stunning visual treatment on screen with those massive vistas.

As for Ledger's character not speaking, that can be a moment where a musical does help to open up an inner monologue.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 9:32pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "As for Ledger's character not speaking, that can be a moment where a musicaldoeshelp to open up an inner monologue."

That’s how the opera handled his big moments.

Brokeback Mountain is a short story first, not a movie (and Love, Simon originated as a novel). While the movie propelled its fame, the source material would be the literature. The opera only claims the short story as its basis.

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 6/19/20 at 1:40am

TotallyEffed said: "AEA AGMA SM said: "TotallyEffed said: "I see a mezzanine of gays sipping overpriced cocktails with plastic lassos for stirrers."

Mezzanine? They'll be trying to sit as close as possible hoping to catch a better glimpse of that moment when Ennis fulfills that porn fantasy trope that a little spit is all you need."

Fair point. Excited to hear “A Little Spit (Reprise)” though."

You beat me to the punch line.

 

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 6/19/20 at 7:17am

I found the opera dull, though Daniel Okulitch was appealing in the lead role.

I'd like a Love, Simon musical but I'd want a catchier score than the last round of LGB teen musicals. The Prom and Everybody's Talking About Jamie lack memorable songs, IMO.

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 6/19/20 at 7:38am

If the new Love, Victor series does well on Hulu it will revive interest in the property.

[tmdonahue]

Posted: 6/19/20 at 11:42am

Or a chorus line of singing and dancing cows.

[joevitus]

Posted: 6/19/20 at 12:59pm

TotallyEffed said: "AEA AGMA SM said: "TotallyEffed said: "I see a mezzanine of gays sipping overpriced cocktails with plastic lassos for stirrers."

Mezzanine? They'll be trying to sit as close as possible hoping to catch a better glimpse of that moment when Ennis fulfills that porn fantasy trope that a little spit is all you need."

Fair point. Excited to hear “A Little Spit (Reprise)” though."

lol