Wicked Composer Boycotts Trump-Aligned Kennedy Centre

The venerable John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts is facing an escalating exodus of elite talent, with legendary composer Stephen Schwartz becoming the latest high-profile figure to join a widening boycott. Schwartz, the three-time Oscar winner behind masterpieces such as Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin, announced that he will no longer participate in scheduled events at the Washington, D.C. venue, citing a shift from its foundation as an apolitical sanctuary for free expression into a partisan stronghold.

The controversy centres on the Trump administration’s recent overhaul of the institution. Following a strategic appointment of loyalists to the board, the sitting President was named chairman—a historic departure from the venue’s traditionally bipartisan governance. The friction intensified after the building’s exterior was altered to include the President’s name, a move currently mired in legal disputes regarding federal laws that protect the site’s status as a memorial to the 35th President.

A Mass Departure of Artistic Talent

Schwartz had originally been slated to host the Washington National Opera Gala on 16 May. However, in a blistering statement, the 77-year-old lyricist made his position clear: “There’s no way I would set foot in it now. It no longer represents the apolitical place for free artistic expression it was founded to be.” While the Kennedy Centre’s current leadership, led by Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi, has sought to downplay the exit—claiming a formal contract was never finalised—Schwartz countered that his withdrawal is a matter of principle regardless of administrative status.

The boycott is not isolated to Broadway royalty. A diverse array of performers and advisors have recently severed ties, creating a significant void in the 2026 performance calendar. From jazz ensembles to contemporary dance troupes, the “refusenik” list continues to grow.

Artists and Groups Withdrawing from the Kennedy Centre

Political Rhetoric and Ratings Struggles

The administration’s response to the crisis has been combative. Richard Grenell, the interim executive director, has threatened legal action against some cancelling artists, including a $1 million lawsuit against drummer Chuck Redd. Grenell dismissed the boycotts as “a form of derangement syndrome,” arguing that the previous leadership had focused on booking “far-left activists” rather than neutral performers.

Adding to the Centre’s woes is a reported decline in public engagement. Despite Presidential promises of record-breaking viewership, the 2025 Kennedy Centre Honors broadcast—which featured honourees such as Sylvester Stallone and the band KISS—stumbled to an all-time ratings low. Nielsen data indicated a 26% drop in viewership year-on-year, with only 4.1 million viewers tuning in. While the White House blamed the slump on “industry disadvantages” and the broadcast’s timing near Christmas, critics argue the numbers reflect a public distancing from the venue’s new, highly polarised image.