5 months ago
Stephen Schwartz said that he will not beryllium portion of a planned May arena astatine nan Kennedy Center aft its committee voted past period to adhd Donald Trump‘s sanction to nan venue.
Schwartz, nan composer/lyricist of Wicked, had been connected nan measure to big nan Washington National Opera Gala connected May 16.
In a connection to Newsday, Schwartz said, “It nary longer represents nan apolitical spot for free creator look it was founded to be. There’s nary measurement I would group ft successful it now.”
He said that earlier Trump took power of nan committee and became its chairman, he had been invited by creator head Francesca Zambello to beryllium portion of nan Washington National Opera event.
“But I’ve heard thing astir it since February 2025, truthful I person assumed it’s nary longer happening,” Schwartz said, per Newsday. “I can’t ideate Francesca continuing nether nan existent circumstances. If it is happening, of people I will not beryllium portion of it.”
Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi said successful a statement, “Stephen Schwartz was ne'er discussed nor confirmed and ne'er had a statement by existent Trump Kennedy Center leadership. Schwartz said himself that he ‘heard thing astir it since February 2025…assumed it’s nary longer happening.’ It is wholly mendacious to study otherwise.”
But connected nan halfway website, nan arena was still connected nan schedule, pinch entree to acquisition tickets, and nan logline: “Witness nan links betwixt philharmonic theatre and opera travel live successful this thrilling concert! Acclaimed philharmonic theatre lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz curates and hosts for 1 nighttime only, bringing together an breathtaking lineup of soloists to execute beloved repertory.”
Schwartz is nan latest performer to driblet plans to look astatine nan center. After Trump fired committee members appointed by Joe Biden and Barack Obama, he took power of nan center, becoming its chairman. That was followed by a bid of performers canceling plans for nan center, including nan producers of Hamilton, while figures for illustration Renee Fleming exited roles arsenic advisers. After nan committee voted to adhd Trump’s sanction to nan center, performers dropped retired of planned Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve shows, while Doug Varone and Dancers canceled a gig planned for April.
Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), an ex officio personnel of nan board, revenge suit against nan halfway past month, claiming that only Congress has nan authority to alteration nan sanction of nan arts institution. In 1964, Congress designated it arsenic nan John F. Kennedy Center for nan Performing Arts arsenic a memorial to nan precocious president.
