The fallout from the hostile takeover of the Kennedy Center and the eventual name change continues to spark controversy and cancellations.
“Wicked” songwriter Stephen Schwartz was scheduled to perform with the Washington National Opera on May 16. He has since cancelled that performance saying, “it (The Kennedy Center) no longer represents the apolitical place for free artistic expression it was founded to be. There’s no way I would set foot in it now.”
Schwartz noted that he was originally invited to join the performance by Washington National Opera Artistic Director and Broadway “Little Mermaid” director Francesca Zambello but has heard nothing more since February 2025 adding, “so I have assumed it’s no longer happening. I can’t imagine Francesca continuing under the current circumstances. If it is happening, of course I will not be part of it.”
In response “Trump” Kennedy Center Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi said, “Stephen Schwartz was never discussed nor confirmed and never had a contract by current Trump Kennedy Center leadership. Schwartz said himself that he ‘heard nothing about it since February 2025…assumed it’s no longer happening.’ It is completely false to report otherwise.”
Whether on the calendar or not, Schwartz is the latest of a growing list of performers who are refusing to appear at the Memorial Performing Arts Center.
Shortly after taking office on January 20, the White House quickly moved in, throwing out the bi-partisan board and installing loyalists – including some current White House staff – under the guise of “ending the woke culture”. Since that takeover, numerous artists have cancelled performances including Tony Award winning creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and the American College Theater Festival who have held their annual event at The Kennedy Center for dozens of years.
Since the takeover, ticket sales at The Kennedy Center have dropped 30 to 40 percent.
The recent broadcast of the Kennedy Center Honors saw the smallest viewership in the history of the gala event – 48 years – with just three million viewers.
The “unanimous” vote and eventual rename of The Kennedy Center has sparked a fresh bout of cancellations.
While the website itself has changed the name to “The Trump Kennedy Center”, the website address itself remains dennedy-center.org due to the actions last August of “South Park” writer Toby Morton who purchased that address for satirical purposes.
While Congress has yet to take no action; there are numerous “legal eagles” who state the name change is an illegal act.