‘Hamilton’ Cancels Kennedy Center Run Due To Trump
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Broadway musical Hamilton announced the cancellation of its run at The Kennedy Center, citing President Donald Trump’s overhaul of the institution.
The production team behind the lauded Broadway musical Hamilton announced that they were canceling their run at the Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts in Washington D.C. The show was to take place at the institution for eight weeks from March 3 to April 26 of next year. In a statement issued on social media, producer Jeffrey Seller wrote that political differences and the debate ensuing from them are “vital expressions of democracy,” but that the Kennedy Center itself should be “protected from politics.”
“However, in recent weeks we have sadly seen decades of Kennedy Center neutrality be destroyed,” Seller continued. “The recent purge by the Trump Administration of both professional staff and performing arts events at or originally produced by the Kennedy Center flies in the face of everything this national cultural center represents.” Trump made himself chairman of the Kennedy Center in February, and immediately fired the long-term president, Deborah Rutter, and replaced her with loyalist Richard Grenell. He also fired 18 board members who had previously been appointed by President Joe Biden.
“Hamilton” was proudly performed at the Kennedy Center in 2018 during the first Trump administration,” Seller concluded. “We are not acting against his administration, but against the partisan policies of the Kennedy Center as a result of his recent takeover.” He also stated that it was a “business decision”, referring to the Kennedy Center’s decision to cancel a tour date for the children’s musical Finn, which has been viewed as having LGBTQ+ themes. The play’s cancellation follows other artists who have done the same, including comedy actress Issa Rae and country musician Rhiannon Gaddens.
Grenell sniped at Seller and the play’s creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda in a post on X, formerly Twitter after the announcement, alleging that they “can’t be in the same room with Republicans” and deeming it a “publicity stunt that will backfire.” Representatives for Miranda opted not to comment directly on Grenell’s accusation, but in a separate statement, Miranda defended the decision to cancel. “At its heart, Hamilton celebrates American diversity,” Miranda said. “The recent shift in the Kennedy Center’s ideology and board leadership has made it untenable for a production like Hamilton to celebrate and be celebrated there today.”
