‘Wicked’ Composer Takes a Stand

[{"selector":"#anim-78a68769-c6e2-4e25-ab1b-fd68fcb0c229 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.610576811490613%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Stephen Schwartz says he will not appear at the Kennedy Center

[{"selector":"#anim-9b28ad86-52b8-430a-8313-1d4463ab70d0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-35.11904752875058%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The center’s board voted to attach President Donald Trump’s name to the iconic performing

[{"selector":"#anim-1fb17ef1-d492-411c-8c0e-da7e847e4df6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-33.018867821487454%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer called the decision a shift away

[{"selector":"#anim-57171733-c89b-4ed8-9e21-7b1b78da3325 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.839622531312965%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] vSchwartz said appearing at the center has become an ideological statement

[{"selector":"#anim-e9629228-4288-481b-aed3-712998b8e5d9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.741173009935075%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Schwartz stated he will not appear at the venue as long as the name change

[{"selector":"#anim-7e69471f-bdfb-4acc-a3fd-b0c9b4e1099d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.627516667039973%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Kennedy Center website briefly listed Schwartz for a May gala before removing the event listing.

[{"selector":"#anim-0ad1ced7-093e-4927-a32f-7986a73b69eb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.949656634975337%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Board president Richard Grenell denied Schwartz was ever officially signed to perform

[{"selector":"#anim-e58d2e4f-4583-49c6-912c-07f01f6339f0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.69221956247501%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Grenell said he never discussed an appearance with Schwartz and dismissed cancellation claims.

[{"selector":"#anim-0756633e-1b6a-47bb-92f3-1e0c2ac7163b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.70712683170665%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Schwartz had discussed possible participation with the Washington National Oper

[{"selector":"#anim-ca2270c8-583a-470e-b009-bb942c775891 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.741173009935075%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Schwartz believed the event was no longer moving forward after months of silence

[{"selector":"#anim-47b51a37-5b6a-4cd4-8863-1c78df70994c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.610576811490613%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Schwartz believed the event was no longer moving forward after months of silence