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highplainsdem

(62,852 posts) Fri Jan 2, 2026, 11:41 AM Jan 2026

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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“It no longer represents the apolitical place for free artistic expression it was founded to be,” Schwartz said in an email sent by his assistant.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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Wicked composer says he'd never 'set foot' in Trump-Kennedy Center as he cancels performance over rebrand [View all] 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