A Brokeback Opera

[ccharles000]

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b141769_brokeback_opera.html

Brokeback Mountain apparently ain't over until the fat lady sings.

The New York City Opera has commissioned an opera based on the 2005 Oscar-wrangling flick about closeted cowboys that starred Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger.

In a statement, the opera house says American composer Charles Wuorinen will take his cues from both the Ang Lee film and the original short story by Annie Proulx about the tragic, forbidden love between Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar, a pair of ranch hands who just can't quit each other.

The Brokeback Mountain opera will have its world premiere during the company's 2013 spring season.

[saltpoint]

1. In the Proulx story, Jack and Ennis are not only reticent cowboys, but

self-numbingly inarticulate as well, unable to even begin to express their feelings and thoughts.

Which is one reason Proulx's story has so much punch.

And now they are going to sing on Broadway. It sounds like the composer & lyricist have their work cut out for them.

In Ang Lee's film I thought the Thanksgiving dinner scene was one of the best "American" scenes ever filmed.

[ruggerson]

8. That last scene

OC, that last scene where he finds his jacket in the back of the closet while visiting Jack's parents still floors me.

I wrote about it here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=221&topic_id=63803

[TechBear_Seattle]

18. There is a gap in the story and movie that I've been working on

When Ennis visits Jack's parents, and he goes up stairs to look around and finds the shirts they wore as they were coming off of Brokeback. The book says that Ennis heard the two parents talking downstairs, but they were too indistinct and he was too distracted to pay any attention to what they were saying. I'm working on a 20 to 25 minute one scene play, based on the screenplay of "Brokeback Mountain," which starts with Ennis' arrival, ends with his departure, and never leaves the kitchen. It's tough, as I know what I want them to say but can't quite get them to say it.

When I have something I think is worth sharing, I hope to get your critique. :hi:

[saltpoint]

19. Yes indeed. The acting between Ledger and Jack's mom was spellbinding.

Hard to imagine getting a scene down better than they got that one.

Creds also to the screenwriters and director, but those two people puled off that shirt scene like nobody's business. It was as if a giant foot tore thru the screen to kick the audience in the stomach.

[xchrom]

2. this would be fascinating to see. nt

[canis_lupus]

3. This will be historic

I don't think the words "spit lube" have ever been sung in an opera before. :rofl:

[Zuiderelle]

4. And those words weren't used in the film Brokeback Mountain either.

:eyes:

[terrya]

6. Well, anything to ridicule an intriguing project, I guess.

:eyes:

[Zuiderelle]

7. Exactly.

"We" are our among our worst enemies.

[canis_lupus]

9. Oh for heaven's sake please try to develop a sense of humor

"We" are our own worst enemies when we take things to seriously ... including ourselves.

[terrya]

10. A lot of people were deeply moved by this love story.

And would rather not have it reduced to "spit lube". To me, "Brokeback Mountain" is a love story. And yes, I did cry at the end.

[canis_lupus]

11. True, the short story was moving ...

but the movie was a pale immitation at best.

But I still reserve the right to poke fun at some of our "sacred pink cows" from time to time. :hi:

[terrya]

12. We can disagree

I read the short story and I thought Ang Lee did a brilliant job bringing this nice love story to the screen. But we can disagree. :hi:

[Zuiderelle]

13. Using "spit lube" to describe what to me...

was a very romantic scene, is just crass. It's not funny. Not to me at least.

[canis_lupus]

14. Then perhaps you should adjust your sense of humor

rather than trying to be the guardian and conscience of the GLBT forum.

Regardless, your objection has been duly noted. I am apparently a terrible person for having a sense of humor. Now you can go back to sitting on your tuffet and looking smugly at your minions until someone else holds a turd on a toothpick under your nose.

[Zuiderelle]

15. It's not a conspiracy against you because I object to your "humor"

Give it a rest.

[canis_lupus]

16. I never claim it was a conspiracy

... just a petty annoyance at some of the humor-challenged, p.c.-addicted who sometimes hang out here and try to impose their sensibilities on others.

[Zuiderelle]

17. You said something about minions, so I assumed you were feeling paranoid.

Therefore, conspiracy. I'm telling you that I found it crass for you to say "spit lube" describing Brokeback Mountain. It's not about being non-PC and it's not about imposing anything on anyone, other than you imposing your crassness.

[Carnea]

5. Alright if I have a bone to pick....

I don't remember them technically being Cowboys I thought they had sheep. I guess Jack was a rodeo rider which is close but still...Liked the movie but god I'm not sure about a musical (Which Opera is a fancy version of. I mean it's not exactly a self made sing along story.)


I know the jokes really write themselves on this and I will refrain but I saw a legitimate interview where one of the backers claimed "We hope this will attract a new crowd to the opera" I know what she meant. (More common folk less near dead) But still that has to be one of the funniest things I had ever heard.