Arts Mar 11 Author Marlon James on never outgrowing the magical Marlon James is best known for writing literary fiction, including “A Brief History of Seven Killings,” which won the prestigious Man Booker Prize. But his latest book, “Black Leopard, Red Wolf,” draws on a lifelong love of comics and fantasy.
Arts Mar 08 Embracing classical music and its potential for 'sonic salvation' Classical is a music genre hampered by a tendency to exclude or intimidate newcomers. But Clemency Burton-Hill, creative director at WQXR, a public classical radio station serving New York, wants to change that. An evangelist for art that leaves her…
Arts Mar 04 The artistry behind protecting and repairing photographs At the Art Institute of Chicago, staff rely on state-of-the-art technology and sophisticated conservation methods, including a massive cold-storage facility, to ensure that the collection of more than 24,000 photographs is preserved. A current museum exhibit teaches visitors how that…
Arts Mar 01 'True West' stars Ethan Hawke and Paul Dano on Sam Shepard's 'profound sensibility' The Sam Shepard play “True West” is a revival of an American theater classic. The play has been a magnet for great actors since it was written in 1980. In this contemporary version, it stars Ethan Hawke and Paul Dano,…
Arts Feb 22 'Moonlight' writer hopes audiences leave his new play 'full of questions' The hit Broadway play “Choir Boy” chronicles an African-American prep school and its star pupil, the choir boy, who happens to be gay. Written by Tarell McCraney, a MacArthur Fellowship recipient, the play explores themes not often addressed publicly within…
Arts Feb 20 Why Andy Warhol retrospective has special resonance in the Instagram age A major Andy Warhol retrospective exhibit, the first organized by an American museum in decades, is on display at New York's Whitney Museum. Titled “Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again,” the show contains over 350 works. As…
Arts Feb 18 Jazz musician Terence Blanchard on the hardest thing about composing for film Jazz musician and composer Terence Blanchard has six Grammy Awards, but this year, he's received his first Oscar nomination, for his original score in the 2018 film “BlacKkKlansman.” Jeffrey Brown sits down with Blanchard, who grew up in New Orleans,…
Arts Feb 15 Oscar nominee Regina King says 'Beale Street' a reminder of black resilience Set in New York City in the 1970s, “If Beale Street Could Talk” is the film adaptation of a James Baldwin novel about Tish and Fonny, a devoted young couple almost torn apart by racism and wrongful imprisonment. Jeffrey Brown…
Arts Feb 13 How 'Black Panther' costume designer found inspiration worthy of a superhero When it comes to movies, we tend to focus on actors and directors. But many other factors help determine whether a film resonates with audiences. In commercial and critical blockbuster “Black Panther,” for example, superhero suits recall actual African heritage.
Arts Feb 11 Oscar-nominated 'Vice' is a character study on the quest for power Part comedy, part tragedy, the Oscar-nominated movie "Vice" is all raw politics. The film paints a portrait of former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne. Jeffrey Brown sits down with director Adam McKay and star Amy Adams to…