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highplainsdem

(62,846 posts)
Fri Jan 2, 2026, 11:41 AM Jan 2026

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

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“It no longer represents the apolitical place for free artistic expression it was founded to be,” Schwartz said in an email sent by his assistant.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 = new reply since forum marked as read
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Wicked composer says he'd never 'set foot' in Trump-Kennedy Center as he cancels performance over rebrand (Original Post) highplainsdem Jan 2026 OP
Bravo, sir! tanyev Jan 2026 #1
No one should want to participate in a fascist bullshit takeover of a beloved institution. mdbl Jan 2026 #2
With the possible excepyion soldierant Jan 2026 #26
I keep hearing Rick Wilson..."Everything Trump touches, DIES." ProudMNDemocrat Jan 2026 #3
I had to do a double-take at the headline. Wednesdays Jan 2026 #4
I sort of like the fact that I had to do a double-take and actually 'think' about that title. erronis Jan 2026 #18
I would cut wicked and paste it in front of rebrand. GreenWave Jan 2026 #19
Thank you Mr. Schwartz. twodogsbarking Jan 2026 #5
Good for him! SheltieLover Jan 2026 #6
Potentially illegal? murielm99 Jan 2026 #7
The name change is illegal. highplainsdem Jan 2026 #10
I know that. murielm99 Jan 2026 #11
It wasn't at all clear from what you posted above that you did know that. You could have made it highplainsdem Jan 2026 #14
Post removed Post removed Jan 2026 #29
I was being polite and helpful because you were indicating you didn't know the renaming was illegal. highplainsdem Jan 2026 #30
Bless your heart. murielm99 Jan 2026 #31
That's the key. calimary Jan 2026 #22
EXCELLENT! CTyankee Jan 2026 #8
Profound thanks, Stephen Schwartz. Paladin Jan 2026 #9
"....reduced to an empty warehouse..." sprinkleeninow Jan 2026 #25
Its gonna just be Kid Rock and Nicki Minaj on repeat there sboatcar Jan 2026 #12
They could have Stallone recite poetry for an hour or so Bengus81 Jan 2026 #15
And Jason Aldean BeneteauBum Jan 2026 #17
Don't forget Ted Nugent! ShazzieB Jan 2026 #20
Zee Wango, Zee Tango JoseBalow Jan 2026 #32
Glad to see this! calimary Jan 2026 #13
Resist! BeneteauBum Jan 2026 #16
That's okay............. popsdenver Jan 2026 #21
And require all Federal employees COL Mustard Jan 2026 #34
Let sanity prevail! Evolve Dammit Jan 2026 #23
TY and Wicked Composter, Stephen Schwartz Cha Jan 2026 #24
Schwartz was just 22 when he composed the music and lyrics for Godspell in 1970 gristy Jan 2026 #27
And two years younger when he composed "Pippin" Wednesdays Jan 2026 #28
He's not alone! IzzaNuDay Jan 2026 #33
K&R ck4829 Jan 2026 #35

Wednesdays

(23,002 posts)
4. I had to do a double-take at the headline.
Fri Jan 2, 2026, 11:57 AM
Jan 2026

I was thinking, "Why are they calling the composer wicked because he withdrew from the Kennedy Center?"

Better headline would have been: "Composer of 'Wicked' says he'd never 'set foot' in Trump-Kennedy Center..."

erronis

(24,339 posts)
18. I sort of like the fact that I had to do a double-take and actually 'think' about that title.
Fri Jan 2, 2026, 01:41 PM
Jan 2026

Helps shake a bit of rust out of those old gears.

highplainsdem

(62,846 posts)
10. The name change is illegal.
Fri Jan 2, 2026, 12:51 PM
Jan 2026
https://variety.com/2025/legit/news/donald-trump-name-added-kennedy-center-illegal-1236612798/

Legal experts said the name of the Kennedy Center was established by federal law, and that the organization’s board does not have the authority to make any changes to its name. Changing the name of the Kennedy Center would require an act of Congress, according to scholars.

“There is absolutely no way they can do this legally,” David Super, Georgetown Law professor who specializes in Constitutional law and legislation, told CNN. However, he said, “the administration is not concerning itself with laws unless it has a realistic prospect of getting sued.”

murielm99

(33,047 posts)
11. I know that.
Fri Jan 2, 2026, 12:56 PM
Jan 2026

I am questioning The Independent's choice of phrasing. It is not "potentially illegal." It IS illegal. I don't need a tutorial.

highplainsdem

(62,846 posts)
14. It wasn't at all clear from what you posted above that you did know that. You could have made it
Fri Jan 2, 2026, 01:16 PM
Jan 2026

clear, and just putting quote marks around potentially would have worked.

Response to highplainsdem (Reply #14)

highplainsdem

(62,846 posts)
30. I was being polite and helpful because you were indicating you didn't know the renaming was illegal.
Sat Jan 3, 2026, 01:54 AM
Jan 2026

Sorry you're unable to understand that.

calimary

(90,558 posts)
22. That's the key.
Fri Jan 2, 2026, 02:28 PM
Jan 2026

“…the administration is not concerning itself with laws unless it has a realistic prospect of getting sued.”

Well maybe that’s what our next step is. Our credible experts filing suit! And as many suits as possible! Tie their hands and clog up their appointment books.

Just a thought, anyway.

 

Paladin

(32,354 posts)
9. Profound thanks, Stephen Schwartz.
Fri Jan 2, 2026, 12:48 PM
Jan 2026

The sooner trump's perversion of the JFK Center is reduced to an empty warehouse, the better. The subsequent re-opening of the Center---minus all of trump's sick changes---ought to be a celebration of historical dimensions.

calimary

(90,558 posts)
13. Glad to see this!
Fri Jan 2, 2026, 01:15 PM
Jan 2026

Exactly what that orange bastard needs: people saying “No!” to him. He’s not used to that. And it’s what he deserves.

popsdenver

(2,515 posts)
21. That's okay.............
Fri Jan 2, 2026, 02:10 PM
Jan 2026

Trump will probably convert it into a big screen movie theatre, showing full length action movies of Tractor Pulls, NASCAR, and WWE wrestling matches..............

gristy

(10,733 posts)
27. Schwartz was just 22 when he composed the music and lyrics for Godspell in 1970
Fri Jan 2, 2026, 10:36 PM
Jan 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Schwartz

Robin Lamont sings Day By Day in the movie just beautifully:

Wednesdays

(23,002 posts)
28. And two years younger when he composed "Pippin"
Sat Jan 3, 2026, 12:47 AM
Jan 2026

Although Pippin didn't open on Broadway until the year after Godspell premiered.

IzzaNuDay

(1,319 posts)
33. He's not alone!
Sat Jan 3, 2026, 04:22 AM
Jan 2026

There are many individuals like myself who have fond memories of being in the KC, but will never step
foot in that facility under the current circumstances.

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