‘Brokeback Mountain’ is getting a theatrical adaptation in Rio de Janeiro

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The story of the intense relationship between two cowboys from the American West, “Brokeback Mountain”, is getting its first theatrical adaptation in Brazil. Directed by Moacyr Góes, the Brazilian version features Marcéu Pierrotti and Júlio Oliveira in the leading roles and premieres on August 7th at 8 PM at Teatro das Artes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The play, adapted by Ashley Robinson with music by Dan Gillespie Sells, is a first-time production in the country and aims to raise questions about intolerance and the complexity of human emotions. Marcelo Brou, who acquired the rights to the adaptation in Brazil, plays the role of Ennis in his mature years, narrating passages from the play.

Set in the summer of 1963, the story follows Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar, two young men who meet while working as sheep herders on Brokeback Mountain. The intense and tumultuous relationship that develops between them leaves deep marks on their lives. Over the course of 20 years, even while married with children, their love continually draws them back to the mountain, where they share a world apart from the rest of the world.

– BKDR –

“It’s a story about love, intolerance, and the complexity of human feelings and desires. These are issues that shape the human experience. The reality of people’s diversity and the acceptance of others as they are are achievements to be realized and truly lived in society. We are still far from this; we have made some progress in this regard, but we are still far from there. In this sense, the play is indeed a reflection on the realities experienced by the LGBTQIAPN+ community”, emphasizes Moacyr Góes.

“Even though the story is over 20 years old, the struggles are the same. No intervention is needed because it is a form of genuine love. The play could have been staged two decades ago or today, as we are doing. The entire team is very happy to bring to the stage a play that speaks of love, which is a universal theme”, adds Marcelo.

The idea for the production came from Marcelo Brou, who, after being deeply moved by the London production, reached out to Moacyr and invited him to direct the first staging of the play in Brazil. “I was watching a musical in London in 2023, after working on the soap opera ‘Travessia’ by Gloria Perez, when I heard a buzz. People were talking about having seen the ‘Brokeback Mountain’ production at a theater very close to where I was. So I went to check it out and was enchanted”, recalls Brou. “And I accepted the invitation immediately, as it is a beautiful and important story, full of humanity and beauty”, says Moacyr.”

“The play arrives respecting the love story and the author’s tale. We are doing our best to ensure that everyone who comes to the theater leaves happy and with some kind of reflection,” emphasizes Marcelo Brou. “The scenes will be treated as expressions of the characters’ passionate and erotic behavior. Nothing will be created to conceal something or, on the other hand, to exploit the actors’ nudity. I hope the audience is as moved as we are, as we are touched daily during rehearsals. It could be an important play for many people, I hope” , Moacyr adds.

CAST

Regarding the actors who would portray the iconic protagonists, leading to the selection of Marcéu Pierrotti and Júlio Oliveira, Moacyr explains: “Some of the cast was invited, but the protagonists were chosen through auditions. What was crucial in the selection was the ability to infuse humanity into all the characters. The challenge was to understand what the story is about, its complex nuances, the characters’ behavior in the drama as an expression of who they are and what they desire, and to translate that into a sincere expression. I love this text because it is a beautiful and moving story about love, intolerance, and freedom, which are themes or marks in almost everything I have done in theater”.

“BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN” season: August 7 to September 26, 2024 Days and Times: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 PM Venue: Teatro das Artes Address: Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 52 / 2nd Floor – Shopping da Gávea Tickets: R$ 120 (full price) and R$ 60 (half price) Duration: 90 minutes Genre: Drama Age Rating: 16 years Instagram: @brokeback.teatro

Synopsis: Brokeback Mountain is a love story between two cowboys in rural America in the 1960s. Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar are young men who meet when they are hired to tend to Joe Aguirre’s sheep on Brokeback Mountain. The two cowboys, both poor, begin to develop an intimacy that transforms into an intense and conflicted romance as they spend weeks isolated, in the cold, and under harsh working conditions. Once the job ends, they return to their lives, leaving a huge part of who they are behind on Brokeback Mountain—and spend the rest of their lives trying to recover it. The play, by Ashley Robinson, is adapted from Annie Proulx’s short story, which had a notable and award-winning film adaptation by Ang Lee. The story explores deeply human characters and prompts reflection on intolerance, fears, vulnerabilities, prohibitions, and the power of love.

Technical Sheet Cast: Marcéu Pierrotti, Júlio Oliveira, Marcelo Brou, Eduardo Rieche, Catarina Marcato, Arlete Heringer, Ana Elisa Schumacher. Stand-by Ennis/Jack: Diego Montez Direction: Moacyr Góes Assistant Directors: Diego Montez and Miguel Góes Text: Ashley Robinson Translation: Miguel Góes Direção Musical Direction: Miguel Góes Music: Dan Gillespie Sells Musicians: João Pedro Moschkovich and Miguel GóesLighting: Adriana Ortiz Costumes: Ana Elisa Schumacher Production: Bufões Produções Project Creator: Marcelo Brou Executive Production: Bruna Britto Production Assistance: Giulia Butler