All stories by Brooks Barnes on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

‘Beauty and the Beast’: Disney’s $300 Million Gamble by Brooks Barnes

In adapting its 1991 animated hit with live action and digital flourishes, the studio treads a minefield that comes with tweaking a revered classic.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:43AM
Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Buoyed by Oscars, ‘Moonlight’ Is Moving Into 1,500 Theaters by Brooks Barnes

The distributor A24 hopes the Academy Awards will provide a box-office bump for a gay-themed film that has not drawn mainstream moviegoers so far.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:41PM
Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Oscar Nominations 2017: 14 for ‘La La Land,’ and a Diverse Slate by Brooks Barnes

The academy seeks to rebound from two years of #OscarSoWhite with nods for “Moonlight,” “Fences” and others.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:49AM
Sunday, January 15, 2017

Hot on the Trail of ‘La La Land,’ Here Come More Movie Musicals by Brooks Barnes

When a song-and-dance film earns $132 million this fast, others will follow — with Emma Watson, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig and Josh Gad, for starters.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:07PM
Monday, December 19, 2016

New Movie Musical Planned for Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig by Brooks Barnes

The producer Marc Platt is developing an original musical based on the book “Everything Is Coming Up Profits: The Golden Age of Industrial Musicals.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:24PM
Monday, December 12, 2016

‘La La Land’ Leads Golden Globe Nominations by Brooks Barnes

The musical received seven nominations, including lead actor and actress, while “Moonlight” had six. “The Crown” and “Westworld” were among the nominees in the TV categories.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:20AM
Sunday, December 11, 2016

‘La La Land’ Sizzles in Limited Release in North America by Brooks Barnes

The musical, widely anticipated to be an Oscar favorite, had one of the best limited-release results on record.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:44PM
Thursday, December 1, 2016

Oscar Hunt: Fates in Filmmaking: Who Were the Wallflowers at the ‘La La Land’ Dance? by Brooks Barnes

The twists and turns that can affect a movie’s destiny were present in the early genesis of Damien Chazelle’s musical. Just ask Emma Watson and Miles Teller.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:34PM
Monday, November 14, 2016

Marvel’s ‘Inhumans’ TV Series Will Arrive via Imax Theaters by Brooks Barnes

An ABC series based on Marvel’s characters will debut next year on Imax screens, before a re-edited version heads to TV.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:04PM
Sunday, September 18, 2016

‘La La Land’ Wins Top Prize at Toronto International Film Festival by Brooks Barnes

Damien Chazelle’s work received the audience award for best feature; the audience prize for best documentary went to Raoul Peck’s “I Am Not Your Negro.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:11PM
Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Can the Circus Go On Without Elephants? Ringling Bets It Can by Brooks Barnes

After Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey eliminated elephants from its lineup, the circus must balance its nostalgic appeal with modernization efforts.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:23PM
Sunday, July 10, 2016

A New Disney Princesa Carries Responsibilities Beyond Her Kingdom by Brooks Barnes

Disney has created its first Latina princess, Elena, who will have her debut on the Disney Channel this month.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:22PM
Monday, June 6, 2016

Let It Go Go Go! Three Stage Versions of ‘Frozen’ Are on the Way by Michael Paulson and Brooks Barnes

Here’s what we know about the three live-performance versions of “Frozen” underway — including one by sea.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:22PM
Sunday, April 17, 2016

Disney’s Savvy Marketing of ‘The Jungle Book’ by Brooks Barnes

Disney used a variety of tactics to promote the movie to different audiences and tell them it was not just a film but a magical experience.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:49PM

‘Jungle Book’ Captivates Moviegoers and Captures the Box Office by Brooks Barnes

The Disney remake exceeded expectations, with an audience that was mainly adult.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:34PM

How Disney Spread ‘Jungle Book’ Fever by Brooks Barnes

Disney’s marketing used a variety of tactics to promote the movie to different audiences and tell them it was not just a film but a magical experience.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:50PM
Thursday, March 24, 2016

Ken Howard, 71, Actor and SAG-Aftra Union President, Dies by Brooks Barnes

Mr. Howard presided over the merger of the screen actors’ and radio and television actors’ unions, giving members a greater voice.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:38AM
Thursday, January 21, 2016

‘Grease: Live’ Prepares for the Small Screen by Brooks Barnes

The musical, which will be broadcast on Fox on Jan. 31, is directed by Thomas Kail, who is perhaps best known for his work on “Hamilton” on Broadway.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:27AM
Saturday, December 19, 2015

HBO’s Mike Nichols Documentary to Show at Sundance by Brooks Barnes

The decision means that the film will premiere before a rival film on PBS directed by Elaine May comes out.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:53PM

‘Star Wars’ Takes In $14.1 Million Abroad by Brooks Barnes

“The Force Awakens” opened in 12 foreign markets Wednesday but didn’t set many major records, perhaps because it opened midweek.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:46PM
Monday, December 14, 2015

Cinema Apps That Help Bypass the Popcorn Lines by Brooks Barnes

The largest multiplex chains in North America, AMC Theaters and Regal Entertainment, are rolling out technology that allows customers to preorder and prepay for food and drinks from their sm…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:33AM
Sunday, November 15, 2015

For Spike Lee, an Honorary Oscar, but Diversity Takes Center Stage by Michael Cieply and Brooks Barnes

Stung by criticism of its failure to nominate any black actors or directors last season, the Academy used its annual Governors Awards to face the issue head on.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:18PM
Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Seats That Move With the Onscreen Action Lift Revenue for Los Angeles Theater by Brooks Barnes

The Regal Cinemas location has seen an 88 percent increase in attendance and a threefold increase in ticket revenue since installing 4DX technology last year.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:11PM
Monday, May 25, 2015

Al Pacino to Take On Phil Spector in HBO Movie by BROOKS BARNES

HBO Films has decided to tackle Phil Spector, the bewigged record producer who once worked with the Beatles but is now serving a prison sentence of 19 years to life for murder. Starring will…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Madea Takes a Break, and Tyler Perry Gets Serious by BROOKS BARNES

A director known for broad comedy offers “For Colored Girls,” a film adaptation of Ntozake Shange’s play from the 1970s.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

The Nice Guy Who Puts the Mean Into ‘Glee’ by BROOKS BARNES

Mr. Brennan has a love-hate relationship with his own long, wavy locks — something that started after an encounter with Stephen Sondheim.

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No Business Like Their Family Business by BROOKS BARNES

Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher sat down with a reporter to talk about their relationship and Ms. Fisher’s habit of airing dirty laundry in public.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

'Green Hornet' a Hero for Sony Pictures by Brooks Barnes

It tops the movie box office in its first weekend.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Ford Foundation to Put Up $50 Million for Documentaries by Brooks Barnes

It will help finance films focused on social issues.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Taking Her Art Seriously, Not Herself by BROOKS BARNES

Judi Dench has a new book, "And Furthermore," that chronicles her 54-year career in theater and film production by production.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM
Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Anna Kendrick on ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ and Not Trying Too Hard by Brooks Barnes

Ms. Kendrick originally had some qualms about making a sequel to “Pitch Perfect,” the 2012 hit about a group of young misfit a cappella singers.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:55AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards