Wicked Composer Bows Out as Kennedy Center Adds Trump to Its Name

Stephen Schwartz, the composer of the popular musical Wicked, has decided not to appear at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D. C. This decision comes after the center's board voted to add former President Donald Trump's name to the venue. Schwartz explained that performing at the Kennedy Center now feels like making a political statement, and he does not want to be part of that. He said he will not appear there as long as the situation stays the same.

There has been some confusion about whether Stephen Schwartz was ever officially scheduled to perform at the Kennedy Center. Richard Grenell, the president of the Kennedy Center, said that reports about Schwartz pulling out of a gala in May are not true. Grenell claimed that Schwartz was never signed up to attend and that they never had any conversations about it. However, Schwartz told the BBC that he was asked by the artistic director of the Washington National Opera to participate in the May event and that he agreed. He said he had not heard much about it since February and thought it was not happening. Schwartz was listed on the Kennedy Center's website as a performer, but his name was removed on Friday.

Stephen Schwartz is not the only artist who has decided not to perform at the Kennedy Center because of the name change. The Cookers, a jazz band, canceled two New Year's Eve shows, and Doug Varone and Dancers also canceled their performances in April. They said they could not ask their audiences to come to the Kennedy Center after the name change. Jazz percussionist Chuck Redd also canceled his annual Christmas Eve show. Some people, including Richard Grenell, think these cancellations are just political stunts. The Kennedy Center was originally named after President John F. Kennedy, and some members of his family are upset about the new name. They say the center is a memorial to President Kennedy and should not be renamed. The new name was put on the building in December, but some lawmakers and legal experts believe Congress should have a say in the decision.