...And Keep Reaching For the Stars
What is roller skating?
This institution is where Barton honed his dramatic storytelling and stagecraft and where he now teaches at the Gallatin School for Individualized Study.
What is New York University?
This drummer and frontman for the band Genesis also had a successful solo career with albums like NO JACKET REQUIRED.
Who is Phil Collins?
When delivering feedback, Barton has been known to playfully say this. It is the same feedback given by Bill Murray to his subject, Dudley, in Wes Anderson's THE ROYAL TENNENBAUMS.
What is "Make yours like mine"?
Barton won this prize in Red Dead Redemption 2 for attempting to leap over a canyon only to be foiled by gravity in the most spectacular and physics engine pushing fashion imaginable.
What is the Horse Award?
This Mike + The Mechanics song contains the lines "I wasn't there that morning/ When my Father passed away/ I didn't get to tell him/ All the things I had to say" hit #1 in March of 1989.
What is "The Living Years"?
This play -- a coming-of-age tale about bipoloar disorder -- draws its title from the Konami cheat code that would give a player unlimited lives in the NES game CONTRA.
What is UP UP DOWN DOWN?
This famous Phil was an SNL standout, starred in the sit-com NEWS RADIO, and voiced numerous Simpsons characters, including Troy McClure, who you might remember from such episodes as...
Who is Phil Hartman?
This is one of three movies in 2023 to receive the highest possible rating of "five stars + heart" by Barton on Letterboxd.
What is _______ ?
[Barton to justify ranking.]
Barton once threw his Dark Souls disc out the window fighting this boss, then went all the way downstairs to retrieve the disc and resume play.
What is the Undead Asylum Stray Demon?
This song became Whitney Houston's fourth #1 single, despite getting shade from critics for its musical arrangement, comparing it to "How Will I Know" and Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."
What is "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)"?
This play -- the final installment of his semi-autobiographical triptych -- takes its title from this Eagles song that opens with "I like the way your sparkling earrings lay / Against your skin so brown / And I want to sleep with you in the desert night / With a billion stars all around."
What is PEACEFUL EASY?
This innovative music producer brought listeners a "Wall of Sound" before being tried and convicted for murder.
Who is Phil Spector?
This is another of three movies in 2023 to receive the highest possible rating of "five stars + heart" by Barton on Letterboxd.
What is _______ ?
[Barton to justify ranking.]
Barton used this game to pitch an idea for a deck-building Kognito simulation.
What is Slay the Spire?
This song became the second #1 single for a singer/guitarist from Minneapolis, MN and begins, "Dearly beloved/We are gathered here today/To get through this thing called life."
What is "Let's Go Crazy"?
Barton has long discussed bringing to the stage the story of this American President, finding him in the throws of a well-known, but rarely depicted depression.
Who is Abraham Lincoln?
This former talk show host, known for his white hair and nice guy demeanor, took the backseat in the 90s to a more shocking era of hosts, like Jerry Springer.
Who is Phil Donahue?
This is another of three movies in 2023 to receive the highest possible rating of "five stars + heart" by Barton on Letterboxd.
What is ________ ?
[Barton to justify ranking.]
Barton and his party threw themselves at this Goddess of Rot in Elden Ring for 3 months before succeeding.
Who is Malenia, Blade of Michelob?
This song off the RUNNING SCARED soundtrack peaked at #7 on the U.S. Billboard charts and was Michael McDonald's last top 10 hit.
What is "Sweet Freedom"?
NY Times theater critic Neil Genzlinger, led his review of this two-hander, co-produced by Britney Burgess, with "Perhaps you're one of those people who have long lamented, 'If only WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S had been funnier and had starred actors with some chemistry.' Your wait is over."
What is STILL THE RIVER RUNS?
This "very good boy," born on December 24, is a true holiday gift to all who have had the pleasure to meet him.
Who is Phil Collins, the dog?
Barton's Letterboxd review for this 1986 movie is as follows: "Martin Short's smile. Chevy Chase's fake flamenco guitar. Dorothy Gish. Talking turtle. El Guapo. 'You WILL die like dogs.' ...A SWEATER!!! Steve's lasso. A plethora of pinats."
What is THREE AMIGOS?
After months of trying when Barton at long last defeated Malenia in Elden Ring, he was wielding this weapon.
What is Blasphemous Blade?