Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz joins boycott of Kennedy Centre

Stephen Schwartz, the Oscar-winning composer and lyricist behind Wicked, has said he will no longer take part in events at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, adding his name to a growing list of artists distancing themselves from the venue.

In comments made to Newsday on January 1, Schwartz said the Kennedy Centre no longer reflects the apolitical environment it was intended to represent.

“It no longer represents the apolitical place for free artistic expression it was founded to be,” he said in an email sent by his assistant. “There’s no way I would set foot in it now.”

Schwartz had previously been invited to participate in a Washington National Opera event scheduled for May 16 2026. In a separate email, he wrote, “Last year, way before the change of Board and name of the Kennedy Centre, I was invited by Francesca Zambello to be part of a Washington National Opera event on May 16, 2026. But I’ve heard nothing about it since February 2025, so I have assumed it’s no longer happening.”

A spokesperson for the Kennedy Centre disputed claims that Schwartz was formally booked. Vice president of public relations Roma Daravi said, “Stephen Schwartz was never discussed nor confirmed and never had a contract by the current Trump Kennedy Centre leadership.”

Schwartz’s comments follow broader controversy surrounding changes at the Kennedy Centre after President Donald Trump was named chairman and hosted the Kennedy Centre Honours in December. Since those changes, several artists and organisations have cancelled performances or stepped down from advisory roles.

Additional cancellations in recent weeks have included performances by Wayne Tucker and the Bad Mothas, jazz drummer Chuck Redd, and the Cookers, as well as an upcoming appearance by Doug Varone and Dancers.

Interim executive director Richard Grenell criticised the withdrawals, saying, “Boycotting the Arts to show you support the Arts is a form of derangement syndrome.”

The Kennedy Centre has continued to face scrutiny as its 2026 programme undergoes further changes amid ongoing debate over its leadership and direction.