Arts Aug 06 Remembering Toni Morrison’s ‘beautiful human urgency’ Author and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison died Monday at age 88. The acclaimed writer, editor and professor helped transform American literature, bringing forth a black perspective that had rarely been heard. Jeffrey Brown reports and talks to Princeton University’s Tracy…
Arts Jul 31 What Broadway legend Harold Prince meant to American theater Broadway director and producer Harold Prince died Wednesday at age 91. Prince won an astonishing, record-breaking 21 Tony Awards with shows that became household names -- and whose popularity still endures decades later. Judy Woodruff reports on a theater legend…
Arts Jul 26 How violinist Gaelynn Lea is redefining who can be a musician Gaelynn Lea is transforming our cultural understanding of who can be a musician. A congenital disability called osteogenesis imperfecta caused her bones to break more than 40 times while she was in the womb. But the violinist is known for…
Arts Jul 18 Lonnie Bunch on how the Smithsonian can help America understand its identity Lonnie Bunch, founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, has just become the 14th head of the Smithsonian Institution -- and its first black leader. He sits down with Judy Woodruff to discuss the challenges…
Arts Jun 28 What this year’s Whitney Biennial says about contemporary American art The biennial exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art represents a big moment for contemporary art, featuring some of its biggest names. While works tackle various major social and political issues of the moment, they tend to do so…
Arts Jun 21 Why critics seemed ‘absolutely irrelevant’ for this youth-driven Broadway musical “Be More Chill,” a Broadway musical written by Joe Tracz and scored by Joe Iconis, explores the emotional rollercoaster of growing up -- with a magical twist. The show’s release comes on the heels of several other successful musicals about…
Nation Jun 10 The painstaking process of repairing a damaged cathedral The Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., sustained major damage during a rare 2011 earthquake. Nearly eight years later, reconstruction is still underway at the country's second-largest church. Jeffrey Brown visited the landmark to learn more about the long and…
Arts May 24 The Beastie Boys on rap, friendship and taking a stand for their values The rap trio Beastie Boys played a formative role in the evolution of American hip-hop music. They have sold millions of albums with their unique blend of rap, rock and humor, all while prioritizing their friendship above their career success.
Arts May 02 Author David Treuer on rewriting the Native American narrative Traditionally, movies and books about Native American life have focused on tragedy and defeat. Now, a new work of history and reporting urges readers to consider a more complex culture that is not only still living, but evolving. Jeffrey Brown…
Arts Apr 29 T Bone Burnett on making music and fighting ‘surveillance capitalism’ Between producing recordings for major music stars, writing soundtracks for films and TV and releasing a new album of his own, “The Invisible Light: Acoustic Space,” T Bone Burnett might be one of the busiest men in entertainment. Jeffrey Brown…