A Composer's Stand: Why Stephen Schwartz Walked Away from the Kennedy Center Gala

Stephen Schwartz, the mastermind behind "Wicked, " made a bold move. He decided not to host a gala at the Kennedy Center. This decision came after changes at the arts center under the Trump administration. Schwartz believes the Kennedy Center is no longer a safe space for free artistic expression. Schwartz's assistant shared his thoughts with Newsday. He said the Kennedy Center is not the same place it used to be. It was once a place where artists could express themselves freely, without political interference. But now, Schwartz feels it's not the right place for him. Schwartz is known for his work on Broadway, including "Godspell" and "Pippin. " He was invited by Francesca Zambello, the artistic director of the Washington National Opera, to be part of the gala. But after President Trump made changes to the Kennedy Center's board, Schwartz changed his mind.The Kennedy Center's vice president for public relations, Roma Daravi, said Schwartz was never confirmed or contracted by the current leadership. Richard Grenell, the Kennedy Center's chairman, also denied any involvement with Schwartz. He said reports about Schwartz were not true. The Kennedy Center had promoted Schwartz's involvement in the gala on its website. But his name was removed on Friday evening. A brochure for the Washington National Opera's 2025-26 season had mentioned Schwartz. It said he would curate and host the gala. The brochure promised a thrilling concert that would bring together musical theater and opera. Schwartz's decision highlights a bigger issue. It's about the role of politics in the arts. Many artists believe that art should be free from political influence. They want to create without fear of censorship or interference. Schwartz's stand is a reminder of this ongoing debate.