At a Glance
- Composer Stephen Schwartz will not host the Kennedy Center gala.
- The venue has been renamed to include former President Donald Trump.
- Multiple artists have canceled performances after the renaming vote.
- Why it matters: The changes signal a shift in how the Kennedy Center presents itself, affecting artists and audiences alike.
Composer Stephen Schwartz announced on Saturday that he will not host the Kennedy Center gala scheduled for May 2026, citing the Trump administration’s takeover and the venue’s new name.
Schwartz Declines the Invitation
Stephen Schwartz said in a statement:
> “The Kennedy Center was founded to be an apolitical home for free artistic expression for artists of all nationalities and ideologies. That is no longer the case, and appearing there has now become an ideological statement. As long as that remains the case, I will not appear there.”
Contested Invitation
Francesca Zambello, artistic director of the Washington National Opera, confirmed she had invited Schwartz to host the event. She told NBC News in an email:
> “Schwartz kindly agreed to host our gala and curate the program.”
Roma Daravi, a spokesperson for the Kennedy Center, disputed the claim, saying Schwartz had never been scheduled or contracted. Richard Grenell, interim President, called media reports about Schwartz canceling “bogus” on X.
Artist Cancellations
- Chuck Redd canceled a Christmas Eve concert.
- The Cookers canceled their New Year’s Eve appearance.
- Kristy Lee and Doug Varone and Dancers canceled their January and April performances.
- Issa Rae and the musical Hamilton had earlier canceled before the board vote.
Board Renaming and Legal Action
The board voted in early December to rename the venue to include Trump’s name, months after the president replaced the board with a handpicked group chaired by Trump. One day after the renaming vote, Trump’s name was affixed to the center’s facade. Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex officio board member, sued the Trump administration last month, arguing the renaming violates federal law.
Key Takeaways
- Stephen Schwartz will not host the Kennedy Center gala, citing political changes.
- The Kennedy Center’s renaming to include Donald Trump has led to multiple artist cancellations.
- Legal challenges are underway over the venue’s new name.
The controversy underscores how political decisions can ripple through the arts, reshaping programming and artist participation.
