Brokeback Broadway

One thing about rumors is that half the time they are, in a way, wish fulfillment waiting to happen.

Such is the case with the recent gossip of a stage version of the landmark film Brokeback Mountain. Back around the time the Brokeback theme was released as a dance mix (yeah, I know; you can't get much gayer then that), the thought entered my mind of a Broadway musical based on the story of two cowboys in love (OK, maybe you can get gayer then that).

All kidding aside, if Romeo and Juliet can be turned into West Side Story, why not a serious musical drama based on Brokeback? With the right handling, it could work.

Unfortunately, I feel that if this project does turn out to be true, we will be subjected to a whole other round of "gay cowboy" jokes, except with extra "show tune" ammo to fuel the thinly veiled homophobia. Personally, I really don't want to see Jay Leno crooning "Climb Brokeback Mountain" to the tune of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain".

Former X-Men Hugh Jackman (Tony-winner for The Boy from Oz) and James Marsden (who proved he can sing in Hairspray) are mentioned as candidates for the roles of Ennis and Jack, leading AfterElton.com to chime in with their own casting choices: Patrick Wilson (above left, in Oklahoma! drag) and Cheyenne Jackson (middle left, who will hopefully not be reduced to the go-to guy for gay roles on Broadway). I could also see Matthew Morrison (middle right, the original Link Larkin in Hairspray) and Matt Cavenaugh (right, as the Urban Cowboy) in the iconic roles. (Click on the picture for a closer view.)

However, the answer may be more obvious. Remember Jake Gyllenhaal's outrageous Saturday Night Live opening number? That boy's got pipes. Now replace the lyrics "I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" with the words "I Wish I Knew How to Quit You".

Scary how these things work out sometimes.

Click here to purchase Brokeback Mountainon DVD from Amazon.com.

Links via Towleroad.com, AfterElton.com and YouTube.com.