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highplainsdem

(59,921 posts) Fri Jan 2, 2026, 10:41 AM Friday

167

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“It no longer represents the apolitical place for free artistic expression it was founded to be,” Schwartz said in an email sent by his assistant.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

34 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 Friday OP

Bravo, sir! tanyev Friday #1

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

With the possible excepyion soldierant Friday #26

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

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

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

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

Thank you Mr. Schwartz. twodogsbarking Friday #5

Good for him! SheltieLover Friday #6

Potentially illegal? murielm99 Friday #7

The name change is illegal. highplainsdem Friday #10

I know that. murielm99 Friday #11

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

Post removed Post removed Saturday #29

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

Bless your heart. murielm99 Saturday #31

That's the key. calimary Friday #22

EXCELLENT! CTyankee Friday #8

Profound thanks, Stephen Schwartz. Paladin Friday #9

"....reduced to an empty warehouse..." sprinkleeninow Friday #25

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

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

And Jason Aldean BeneteauBum Friday #17

Don't forget Ted Nugent! ShazzieB Friday #20

Zee Wango, Zee Tango JoseBalow Saturday #32

Glad to see this! calimary Friday #13

Resist! BeneteauBum Friday #16

That's okay............. popsdenver Friday #21

And require all Federal employees COL Mustard Saturday #34

Let sanity prevail! Evolve Dammit Friday #23

TY and Wicked Composter, Stephen Schwartz Cha Friday #24

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

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

He's not alone! IzzaNuDay Saturday #33