Stephen Schwartz Pulls Out of Kennedy Center’s 2026 Lineup: ‘There’s No Way I Would Set Foot in It Now’

Acclaimed composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, the creative force behind iconic musicals such as "Godspell," "Pippin," and the global phenomenon "Wicked," has publicly withdrawn from a Kennedy Center event planned in his honor. In a principled stand, Schwartz declared he will not participate in a Washington National Opera gala scheduled for May 16, 2026, which is still advertised on the institution's website. He conveyed his decision via an email statement, asserting the venue "no longer represents the apolitical place for free artistic expression it was founded to be" and that he would not "set foot in it now."

Schwartz explained that his initial invitation from Washington National Opera director Francesca Zambello came well before recent institutional changes but that he has received no communication since February 2025, leading him to assume the event was canceled. He expressed doubt that Zambello would continue her work under the current circumstances. The Kennedy Center, a federally funded national monument, has been a flashpoint for controversy since its board—largely appointed during the Trump administration—voted to append the former president's name to the institution, a move critics argue lacks legal foundation and politicizes a cultural landmark.

This withdrawal carries significant symbolic weight, as Schwartz's history with the center is deeply rooted. He co-wrote, with the legendary Leonard Bernstein, the monumental theater piece "Mass," which opened the Kennedy Center in 1971. His departure adds to a growing exodus of artists distancing themselves from the renamed venue, a trend that includes the recent cancellation of performances by the Asian comedy group "Asian AF." Cultural analysts note this pattern risks transforming the institution's programming from a destination for top-tier talent to a schedule dominated by orchestral concerts, touring musicals, and lesser-known acts.

A review of the venue's current schedule reveals a thinning roster of star-powered events. Beyond a few notable names like soprano Renée Fleming and singer-actor Tyrese, the 2026 calendar is primarily filled with institutional fare, children's programming, and a recurring comedy show. As one arts journalist noted, "When foundational artists like Schwartz feel compelled to leave, it signals a profound shift in an institution's cultural credibility. The programming becomes reflective of that disconnect." The featured evening with Schwartz, promising to explore the links between musical theater and opera with a lineup of soloists, remains listed online, highlighting the disconnect between the center's public-facing promotions and the reality of artist relations.