The Kennedy Center released a list of show cancellations and postponements over the last six months, showing that more than 20 programs have been dropped since Donald Trump took over and installed his own team at the performing arts complex.
The release of the list appeared to be an effort to show that cancellations have been due to financial reasons, like low ticket sales, or by the artists themselves. The producers of Hamilton, for instance, announced this week that they were canceling a 2026 run in protest of Trump’s takeover last month.
“In the spirit of transparency due to the litany of misinformation being spread in the press, it is important to give the public a complete account of program cancellations over the past six months,” said Roma Daravi, VP of public relations at the center. “In fact, the only shows under the Kennedy Center umbrella that we have canceled since February 12th were due to lack of sales or artist availability.”
Trump announced on Feb. 12 that he had been elected as chairman of the Kennedy Center board after ousting David Rubenstein. Trump also fired Joe Biden’s appointees to the board, even though the center has had a long tradition of bipartisan membership. An adviser, Ric Grenell, was named president, ousting Deborah Rutter.
In the immediate aftermath, figures such as Issa Rae canceled their shows, and Ben Folds and Renee Fleming withdrew as advisers.
Per the Kennedy Center list, 15 programs have been canceled by the artist or artist availability, or by the producers. Four shows were canceled to for low ticket sales or for financial reasons, and two were postponed.
On project, Eureka Day, centers on a private school grappling with an outbreak of the mumps, as parents and administrators weigh what to do amid the anti-vaccination movement. It is listed as being canceled by the producer due to “financial reasons.” The production did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Not on the list was the cancellation of an upcoming tour of Finn, a children’s musical. The center described the cancellation as a financial decision, and said that the decision had been made before the takeover. In the aftermath, Stars in the House creators Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson, along with Finn creators Chris Nee, Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond, are planning a one-night-only livestream presentation of the show at New York’s Town Hall on March 17.
The International Pride Orchestra said that the Kennedy Center had reversed its plans for a Pride Celebration Concert on June 4. The event was to feature LGBTQ+ artists, including drag performers. In taking over the Kennedy Center, Trump had complained about :drag shows specifically targeting our youth.”
The list does mention NSO: A Peacock Among Pigeons as being dropped for “financial reasons.” That event, based on a children’s book, was part of Pride celebrations, and was to include works by LGBTQ+ artists.
Greg Evans contributed to this report.
