Chicago Shakespeare Theater Presents BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Review - The Stage Adaptation in the Great Outdoors

TLDR: The stage adaptation of Brokeback Mountain captures the same even-keeled pace of the movie as we’re taken through the individual moments in the two men’s relationship spanning 20 years. The two leads capture the polar opposites of Ennis and Jack making them close to the original movie, but with their own takes.

Out Underneath The Stars

The Chicago Shakes Yard theater has transformed its central performance space into a raised platform stage with a bed upstage and a formica table standing by itself downstage. A ceiling fan suspended from high in the rafters lazily turns overhead. An unmoving form lays on the bed with a bottle of whiskey tucked in the bedside table. A five piece band sits off in the back corner, not forward enough to be too intrusive, but incorporated enough to be a presence in the story. They provide a folk and country score backing the play, led by lead balladeer, Kat Eggleston.

As we move from place to place the set comes and goes on its own (designed by Tom Pye). There are no stagehands coming out and moving set pieces on and off. Each piece of furniture is either raised or lowered in the platform itself creating seamless transitions. Everything is designed to keep us engrossed in the story. Each set piece is generic enough to melt into the background and become part of the scene it needs to be - a ramshackle house with plumbing issues, a diner, a marital bed, or a motel room. Then, it all fades away as our two cowboys make their way up to Brokeback Mountain.

The back of the stage shows us the wilderness of Wyoming. Mostly everything is pitch black, with only a few twinkling lights as the stars. Fields of tall grass to traipse through cover the back part of the stage as the two spend their days out here. They pitch their tent and light a fire (using actual flames at that) before they spend the chilly nights either at camp or out by the sheep. The atmosphere of Brokeback Mountain transports us to a world outside the city.

Creating An Unbreakable Bond

Jack Cameron Kay as Jack Twist comes out like a rodeo bull released from the pen. He shows up in his signature black cowboy hat bold, self-assured, loud, and can’t seem to stop moving. He’s full of energy and tries to lighten the mood when first entering Mr. Aguirre’s office. He’s full of optimism and we start to feel the same way Ennis does about him - he’s someone we can count on and lean on.

Harrison Ball as Ennis Del Mar is the exact opposite. Still a man of few words, Ball captures Ennis’ stoicism with his mouth set in a hard line and barely shows any sign of emotion. We feel him try to keep his world under control as he tries to keep his secret relationship under wraps, knowing how it all could collapse if it ever came out.

From the beginning moments of them bonding on the mountain, these two slowly dance around each other with Kay pulling Ball out of his shell to form their lifelong bond. It builds so when they see each other after four years, they grasp onto each other like they’re grasping for breath and afraid of letting go. The minute feels like it lasts a lifetime as we watch the two of them while also keeping an eye on Ennis’ wife, Alma (Cordelia Dewdney), sure that she’s going to spot them any second. We continue through the years, through hardships, families, and of course the “fishing trips” as they sneak away when they can, diving deeper into each other each time.

The After Party Thoughts

The first question that everyone probably wants to know is, how much is the play like the movie? There are a few moments in the play that were more “if you know, you know” where you’d know exactly what was going on if you had seen the movie. And a few characters are cut out from the stage adaptation, but not leaving us with anything to be desired.

We still get the iconic lines, moments, and the story is still the same. However, the focus has shifted or more aptly, it's narrowed down. We feel more of the impact on Ennis as he tries to hold it all in. The show isn’t as sprawling as the movie, but keeps the same energy as the two navigate their relationship throughout the years.

So, if you like love stories, folk music, or if you’re a fan of the original movie, characters, and their story, this stage adaptation of Brokeback Mountain would be a good fit for you!

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When

Now through June 28, 2026

Where

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

800 E. Grand Ave.

Chicago, IL 60611

Runtime: 90min, no intermission

Tickets

$49+

Tickets can be purchased through the box office 312.595.5600 or through the Chicago Shakespeare Theater website

Photos

Kyle Flubacker

Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago

CAST

Harrison Ball (Ennis Del Mar)

Jack Cameron Kay (Jack Twist)

Thomas Cox (Joe Aguirre / Bill / Jack’s Father)

Cordelia Dewdney (Alma)

Kat Eggleston (Balladeer / Jack’s Mother)

Alina Jenine Taber (Lureen)

Meghan Maureen McDonough (Understudy)

Laura Nelson (Understudy)

Andrew Pappas (Understudy)

Matt Rosin (Understudy)

Andrew Shipman (Understudy)

CREATIVE

Jacob Yates (Music Director / Piano / Conductor)

Paul Mertens (Harmonicas)

Tom McGettrick (Pedal Steel Guitar)

Mary Halm (Bass)

Ryan Blihovde (Copyist)

Heather Boehm (Music Contractor)

Ashley Robinson (Playwright)

Jonathan Butterell (Director)

Dan Gillespie Sells (Composer)

Jacob Yates (Music Director)

Tom Pye (Scenic and Costume Designer)

David Finn (Lighting Designer)

Christopher Shutt (Sound Designer)

Stephanie Farina (Sound Recreation and Additional Content)

Zev Steinrock (Fight and Intimacy Choreographer)

Sammi Grant (Dialect and Voice)

Shaheen Baig (Casting)

Bob Mason (Casting)

Christopher Chase Carter (Associate Director)

Emily Hayman (Associate Sound Designer)

Brenden Marble (Assistant Lighting Designer)

Zeb Lalljee (Associate Costume Designer)

Ethan Smith (Assistant Intimacy Choreographer)

Christine D. Freeburg (Production Stage Manager)

Danny Fender (Assistant Stage Manager)

Bruno Diaz Miranda (Production Assistant)

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