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highplainsdem

(60,145 posts) Fri Jan 2, 2026, 10:41 AM Jan 2

168

Wicked composer says he'd never 'set foot' in Trump-Kennedy Center as he cancels performance over rebrand [View all]

Source: The Independent

Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz has pulled out of a scheduled performance at the Kennedy Center over President Donald Trump’s renaming of the historic venue.

Three-time Oscar winner Schwartz, 77, has joined a growing list of artists to boycott the cultural center over Trump’s potentially illegal attempt to rebrand the institution as the Trump-Kennedy Center.

Schwartz, who was scheduled to host the Washington National Opera Gala at the Kennedy Center on May 16, told Newsday there was “no way” he would enter the venue now.

“It no longer represents the apolitical place for free artistic expression it was founded to be,” Schwartz said in an email sent by his assistant. “There’s no way I would set foot in it now.”

-snip-

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/news/stephen-schwartz-kennedy-center-trump-b2893506.html

35 replies

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Highlight:

Wicked composer says he'd never 'set foot' in Trump-Kennedy Center as he cancels performance over rebrand [View all] highplainsdem Jan 2 OP

Bravo, sir! tanyev Jan 2 #1

No one should want to participate in a fascist bullshit takeover of a beloved institution. mdbl Jan 2 #2

With the possible excepyion soldierant Jan 2 #26

I keep hearing Rick Wilson..."Everything Trump touches, DIES." ProudMNDemocrat Jan 2 #3

I had to do a double-take at the headline. Wednesdays Jan 2 #4

I sort of like the fact that I had to do a double-take and actually 'think' about that title. erronis Jan 2 #18

I would cut wicked and paste it in front of rebrand. GreenWave Jan 2 #19

Thank you Mr. Schwartz. twodogsbarking Jan 2 #5

Good for him! SheltieLover Jan 2 #6

Potentially illegal? murielm99 Jan 2 #7

The name change is illegal. highplainsdem Jan 2 #10

I know that. murielm99 Jan 2 #11

It wasn't at all clear from what you posted above that you did know that. You could have made it highplainsdem Jan 2 #14

Post removed Post removed Jan 3 #29

I was being polite and helpful because you were indicating you didn't know the renaming was illegal. highplainsdem Jan 3 #30

Bless your heart. murielm99 Jan 3 #31

That's the key. calimary Jan 2 #22

EXCELLENT! CTyankee Jan 2 #8

Profound thanks, Stephen Schwartz. Paladin Jan 2 #9

"....reduced to an empty warehouse..." sprinkleeninow Jan 2 #25

Its gonna just be Kid Rock and Nicki Minaj on repeat there sboatcar Jan 2 #12

They could have Stallone recite poetry for an hour or so Bengus81 Jan 2 #15

And Jason Aldean BeneteauBum Jan 2 #17

Don't forget Ted Nugent! ShazzieB Jan 2 #20

Zee Wango, Zee Tango JoseBalow Jan 3 #32

Glad to see this! calimary Jan 2 #13

Resist! BeneteauBum Jan 2 #16

That's okay............. popsdenver Jan 2 #21

And require all Federal employees COL Mustard Jan 3 #34

Let sanity prevail! Evolve Dammit Jan 2 #23

TY and Wicked Composter, Stephen Schwartz Cha Jan 2 #24

Schwartz was just 22 when he composed the music and lyrics for Godspell in 1970 gristy Jan 2 #27

And two years younger when he composed "Pippin" Wednesdays Jan 2 #28

He's not alone! IzzaNuDay Jan 3 #33

K&R ck4829 Jan 5 #35