Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz announced he will not perform at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts following a decision by its board, which labeled the venue as “political” and determined to change its name.
“The Kennedy Center was intended to be an apolitical space for artists of various backgrounds and beliefs,” Schwartz explained, suggesting that “it has lost that apolitical nature; attending there now makes a political statement.”
In a statement distributed to various media outlets, Schwartz, an Oscar and Grammy winner, added, “I will not perform there as long as this situation remains.”
His statement followed the Kennedy Center’s board voting unanimously to rename the prominent Washington, D.C. venue to include President Donald Trump’s name.
The venue will now be known as the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Performing Arts Center, reflecting the names of two former U.S. presidents.
It’s still uncertain how the inclusion of two presidential names could be deemed “political.”
On Friday, CNN reported that the center’s website had stated Schwartz was no longer scheduled to perform at the Washington National Opera’s gala in May.
However, Richard Grenell, the center’s president, rejected those claims, insisting that Schwartz’s potential performance was “completely bogus.”
“The report about Stephen Schwartz is entirely false. It’s disappointing that anyone would spread unverified information,” Grenell remarked on Friday.
He added that Schwartz had mentioned in February he had no awareness of any plans for a performance. “People are just copying misleading articles from @RollingStone,” Grenell said.
A representative for Schwartz informed CNN that discussions regarding his possible role in the May gala had occurred about a year ago, but nothing had been followed up since February 2025.
“After not hearing anything further, he mistakenly thought the plans were no longer in progress,” the spokesperson clarified.
