Brokeback Mountain (Theatre)
It was first a book, then an award winning out movie with two Hollywood mega stars, and now it comes to the stage. A story of two men who meet on a mountain called Brokeback.Annie Proulx wrote the book, Ang Lee directed Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger in the film, and now two Hollywood stars – Mike Faust (West Side Story) and Lucas Hedges (Oscar nominated for Manchester by the Sea) – are in this stage version that is faithful to both the book and movie, plus it’s set to music.
It’s a moving and well fine production.
Jack Twist (Faust) and Ennis Del Mar (Hedges) are cowboys out together on Brokeback Mountain in 1963 to do sheep herding, yet both men, alone on the mountain, have a quick tryst in a tent (as you do), but both declare it didn’t mean anything. But there is more than just lust between them, it’s deeper. They continue to meet up on the mountain and, through marriages, children, divorce – years and years – they still have a bond between them. But unfortunately, because of the days they were living in, they were never able to live as a couple. And then eventually it’s too late.
An older Ennis hovers around the stage looking back at what could’ve been, regrets that linger in the room the entire show. A live band beautifully captures music relevant to the theme and it’s time. And while the romance and show feels rushed (it’s a short 90 minutes), both leads are just superb and perfectly cast, with Faust the exuberant Jack and Hedges the laid back and sullen Ennis. The beautiful setting – campground one minute to a bedroom and then a kitchen – are perfectly captured while Soho Place is the perfect venue for this show. Don’t miss it, it’s playing until August 24th.
Photo by Manuel Harlan
