Acclaimed Composer Stephen Schwartz Scraps Kennedy Center Appearance Amid Trump-Named Renaming Row
The Kennedy Center, an esteemed cultural institution in Washington D.C., has become embroiled in controversy once again, this time over its recent name change to the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. The move has sparked widespread outrage among artists, who are now canceling their scheduled appearances at the center.
Stephen Schwartz, Oscar-winning composer behind hit musicals such as Wicked, is the latest high-profile figure to pull out of a Kennedy Center event in protest of the name change. In an email sent to Newsday, Schwartz expressed his disappointment and disillusionment with the institution's new direction. "The Kennedy Center no longer represents the apolitical place for free artistic expression it was founded to be," he stated. "There's no way I would set foot in it now."
However, a spokesperson from the Kennedy Center has pushed back on Schwartz's claims, suggesting that he was never actually booked for the event. The center's vice president of public relations, Roma Daravi, disputed this notion, stating that Schwartz had assumed the gala was off due to lack of communication.
This incident is not an isolated one; many artists have canceled their shows at the Kennedy Center over the past year in response to President Trump's changes to the institution. Initially, the backlash stemmed from Trump's efforts to gut the center's board and install himself as chairman. More recently, however, artists were outraged by the decision to rename the center after Trump and JFK.
The repercussions of this name change have been far-reaching, with several high-profile shows and events being canceled or scrapped altogether. Chuck Redd, a musician who had led the Kennedy Center's annual Christmas Eve Jazz Jam since 2006, cited the name change as the reason for his decision to cancel the event. He has since received a threatening letter from the center's interim executive director, Richard Grenell, demanding $1 million in damages.
Grenell also issued a statement, claiming that artists who canceled their shows were booked by the previous "far-left leadership" and were motivated by politics rather than artistic expression. However, many observers see this as a thinly veiled attempt to discredit those who have spoken out against Trump's involvement with the Kennedy Center. As one critic noted, "Boycotting the Arts to show you support the Arts is a form of derangement syndrome." The real question is: what will be the long-term impact of this controversy on the very institution that was meant to bring people together through art and culture?
The Kennedy Center, an esteemed cultural institution in Washington D.C., has become embroiled in controversy once again, this time over its recent name change to the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. The move has sparked widespread outrage among artists, who are now canceling their scheduled appearances at the center.
Stephen Schwartz, Oscar-winning composer behind hit musicals such as Wicked, is the latest high-profile figure to pull out of a Kennedy Center event in protest of the name change. In an email sent to Newsday, Schwartz expressed his disappointment and disillusionment with the institution's new direction. "The Kennedy Center no longer represents the apolitical place for free artistic expression it was founded to be," he stated. "There's no way I would set foot in it now."
However, a spokesperson from the Kennedy Center has pushed back on Schwartz's claims, suggesting that he was never actually booked for the event. The center's vice president of public relations, Roma Daravi, disputed this notion, stating that Schwartz had assumed the gala was off due to lack of communication.
This incident is not an isolated one; many artists have canceled their shows at the Kennedy Center over the past year in response to President Trump's changes to the institution. Initially, the backlash stemmed from Trump's efforts to gut the center's board and install himself as chairman. More recently, however, artists were outraged by the decision to rename the center after Trump and JFK.
The repercussions of this name change have been far-reaching, with several high-profile shows and events being canceled or scrapped altogether. Chuck Redd, a musician who had led the Kennedy Center's annual Christmas Eve Jazz Jam since 2006, cited the name change as the reason for his decision to cancel the event. He has since received a threatening letter from the center's interim executive director, Richard Grenell, demanding $1 million in damages.
Grenell also issued a statement, claiming that artists who canceled their shows were booked by the previous "far-left leadership" and were motivated by politics rather than artistic expression. However, many observers see this as a thinly veiled attempt to discredit those who have spoken out against Trump's involvement with the Kennedy Center. As one critic noted, "Boycotting the Arts to show you support the Arts is a form of derangement syndrome." The real question is: what will be the long-term impact of this controversy on the very institution that was meant to bring people together through art and culture?
. I get why artists are upset about the name change, it does feel like they're trying to erase the center's values of free artistic expression... 
. But at the same time, it feels like they're being super dramatic and trying too hard to make a point. I mean, can't we just talk things out and find a compromise? 
. This whole situation is making me think that maybe the center's leadership needs to take a step back and listen to the concerns of the artists and the community... 
. It's not just about politics, it's about art and culture and bringing people together... 
.
. they're supposed to be this iconic place for free artistic expression but it seems like they've sold out to politics entirely. renaming it after trump is just low 
. and now steven schwartz is speaking out and rightfully so 
. i mean, can't they see how hurtful and alienating their actions are towards artists who care about the arts? 
the fact that chuck redd's christmas jam was canceled because of it is just ridiculous 
. the center's trying to deflect blame but let's be real, it's all about trump's ego 
. i hope more artists speak out and show them what we really value: art for art's sake 
.
can't believe the Kennedy Center is being super politicized like this 
and seriously, who does the center think they are, threatening artists with $1 mil in damages? 
that's just extortion 
anyway, i'm kinda sad that Schwartz is skipping the event... his music has brought so much joy to people over the years 
and now artists are getting dragged into this mess because they're trying to stand up for what they believe in - i think that takes a lot more guts than just ignoring it and hoping no one notices 
anyway, it's gonna be interesting to see how this whole thing plays out in the long run...
. I mean, Stephen Schwartz was really vocal about his disappointment and all, but I feel like he could've just had a calm conversation with them instead of pulling out of the event 
. It's like, can't we all just get along? 
The fact that Chuck Redd got a threatening letter is super concerning tho 
. What's going on with Richard Grenell and his weird demands for $1 million in damages? 
. I think the real victims here are the artists who will never get the chance to perform at the Kennedy Center because of Trump's name 
.
its so disappointing to see artists being bullied and threatened by the center's execs. maybe its time for these artists to take a stand and not let trump get away with this 
.
anyway, stephen schwartz makes a solid point - if they can't represent freedom of artistic expression then whats the point? i mean, i get why some people are upset about trump's involvement but this whole thing feels like a big ol' ego trip 
we need more places where ppl can come together and celebrate creativity, not tear each other apart 
The Kennedy Center debacle has got me thinking - what happened to the values of artistic freedom and inclusivity that we should be celebrating in our cultural institutions? 
If they're saying he was never booked for the event, but still sent an email expressing his disappointment - it feels like they're trying to deflect rather than engage with the issue at hand. 
I think we need some more transparency and accountability from these types of institutions, you know? 
also, did steven schwartz not get invited to the gala or what? 
[GIF of hands shrinking]
[Meme of a person with their eyes blacked out]
but on the other hand, it does make me think about how politics can affect art and creativity... anyway, gotta look up more info about grenell and what really went down at the kennedy center 
I mean who wouldn't want to protest a name change that's all about Trump, right? But at the same time, Roma Daravi's got some good points - maybe he did think it was off due to lack of communication... idk, can't we just get past this? The whole thing feels like a big mess,