Arts & Culture

In “Mrs. Kelley’s Igloo,” senior Sophie Tegenu explores themes of family, romantic love and the difficulties of saying “I do.”  This weekend, the play will be one of three to receive world premier staged readings as part of the Performing Arts Department’s annual A.E. Hotchner Playwriting Festival.

This summer, Christopher Stark, assistant professor of music in Arts & Sciences, presented two world-premiere compositions at major venues for contemporary classical music.

Kate Smith was the “songbird of the south” and “the First Lady of radio,” a 20th-century superstar whose recording of “God Bless America” was still being played during Philadelphia Flyer and New York Yankees home games. But recently, both teams distanced themselves from Smith due to racist lyrics in a pair of her early recordings. Arts & Sciences’ Todd Decker, chair of music, helps unpack the controversy for USA Today.

Musicologist Todd Decker, of Arts & Sciences and author of “Hymns for the Fallen: Combat Movie Music and Sound After Vietnam” (2017), examines how films such as “Platoon,” “Apocalypse Now,” “Saving Private Ryan” and “The Hurt Locker” shape how audiences view soldiers, veterans and the experience of war.

Sibling pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque — praised by The New York Times as “the best piano duet in front of an audience today” — will perform four-hand works by Igor Stravinsky and Philip Glass May 5 as part of the Great Artists Series at Washington University in St. Louis.

A tuba establishes the simple, five-note motif. Woodwinds respond. The full ensemble quickly joins the fray. On Thursday, April 25, the Washington University Wind Ensemble will perform Gustav Holst’s celebrated Second Suite for Military Band, along with works by Aaron Copland, Cécile Chaminade and others, in the 560 Music Center.

For its 2019-20 Great Artist Series, Washington University in St. Louis will present four affordably priced concerts by some of today’s finest performers.

The Performing Arts Department presents the world premiere of “Florida,” a new play by recent alumnus Lucas Marschke, April 11-14 in the A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre. Workshopped last fall as part of the A. E. Hotchner Playwriting Festival, the play recounts a dysfunctional vacation for the ages.

Praised for his “silvery tone” (Washington Post) and “gleeful command” (New York Times), Gil Shaham is among today’s foremost violinists. At 7 p.m. April 7, Shaham will join pianist Akira Eguchi for an evening of classical and contemporary duets as part of Washington University’s Great Artists Series.