Monday, March 20, 2023

The Brokeback Boys of (Not) Broadway


West Side Story breakout Mike Faist is grabbing that movie's heat by the horns and riding it into some interesting (read: gay) territory. He's already filmed Luca Guadagnino's tennis-set love-triangle Challengers opposite Josh O'Connor and Zendaya (which Luca slyly admitted would have some "queerness" in an interview, although if he just meant "because I am directing it" or what wasn't clear) -- and speaking of there is news on that front, as it's being reported the film is hoping to premiere in Venice and then come out in the U.S. on September 15th (thx Mac). (Also at that link is the news that Luca's next movie, the William Burroughs adaptation Queer starring Daniel Craig, will begin filming next month and is also going to co-star Frances McDormand!) 

But also up for our former and most recent Riff is the long gestating stage adaptation of Brokeback Mountain! Him and Lucas Hedges are going to do it in London. And it's a musical? Can't wait for the "Spit Lube" song. In all seriousness it doesn't entirely sound like the characters themselves will be singing -- it sounds like a band will be playing country songs astride the stage antics. This is set to debut in August. I am perfectly fine with this, by the way -- it was Annie Proulx's story before it was Ang Lee's movie and there's lots of room for different interpretations. Do I think it's kind of weird that this very American story will be playing in London? Kinda! But that might just be me being annoyed I won't be able to see it talking. 

3 comments:

Pierce said...

Doing Brokeback Mountain as a play is one thing, but a musical? I don't think so. There's a very good opera based on the story, but it's not material for a musical!

Paul Outlaw said...

Play with music, not a musical.

RWH said...

Right. According to what I've read, this will be a play with musical interludes including songs sung by a performer accompanied by musicians. The principal players as far as I can tell will not be bursting into song. Annie Proulx herself has endorsed the concept, so there's that. I'm curious to see what they can do with it, but I don't think I can make it to London anytime soon. I hope all involved can make a success of it, because in that case it will more likely hop the pond to Broadway, cast intact. Ashley Robinson who wrote the adaptation, Jonathan Butterell who will direct, BAFTA nominated Mike Faist, and Oscar nominated Lucas Hedges (good to see him back in action) make a promising team. Good luck to all of them.