Latest news with #JohnF.KennedyCenterforthePerformingArts'
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kennedy Center director encourages Republican attendance, says 'everyone is welcome'
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' interim director Ric Grenell joined "Hannity" on Thursday to preview efforts he and his team are making to transform the institution into a place where "everyone is welcome." President Donald Trump, after firing and re-filling members of the center's board of trustees and announcing he'd been elected chairman, named Grenell as its leader on Feb. 10. Grenell previously served as acting director of national intelligence and is a longtime foreign policy adviser to the president. "Look, the reality is, the Kennedy Center is open for business for everyone," Grenell told Fox News host Sean Hannity. "We just want an arts center that celebrates the arts — we want common sense art." Whoopi Declares She 'Has No Plans To Go' To Kennedy Center After Trump Becomes Chairman Of Venue Grenell also addressed rumblings that shows at the center were being canceled due to the Trump administration. "The new team at the Kennedy Center has not canceled anyone," he explained. "I know there are some rumors out there that, somehow, we were canceling shows. We have not canceled anyone. They've pulled out themselves, or they were told that, due to ticket sales, it wasn't financially good enough." Read On The Fox News App 'Hamilton' Star Put On Notice By Trump's Kennedy Center President After Anti-gop 'Publicity Stunt' One popular show that canceled plans to perform at the Kennedy Center was the Broadway production "Hamilton." The show's producer, Jeffrey Seller, released an official statement on social media Wednesday explaining the choice. "This latest action by Trump means it's not the Kennedy Center as we knew it," said the show's creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, in a joint interview Wednesday with Seller, according to The New York Times. "The Kennedy Center was not created in this spirit, and we're not going to be a part of it while it is the Trump Kennedy Center. We're just not going to be part of it." "I think that's intolerant," Grenell said. "And that's one of the things that Donald Trump has really brought back into Washington, into America, into the Kennedy Center — is to say everyone is welcome." Grenell floated the possibility of organizing a show during the holiday season celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. He emphasized that under his guidance, the Kennedy Center will strive to host programs that will be "very popular." Kennedy Center Shake-up Will Usher In 'Golden Age Of The Arts' Under Trump, Ric Grenell Previews "We can't continue to have an arts center that is making financial decisions that keep getting us into the hole," he said. "We need popular shows — we need shows that the public is going to come to."Original article source: Kennedy Center director encourages Republican attendance, says 'everyone is welcome'
Fox News
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Kennedy Center director encourages Republican attendance, says 'everyone is welcome'
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' interim director Ric Grenell joined "Hannity" on Thursday to preview efforts he and his team are making to transform the institution into a place where "everyone is welcome." President Donald Trump, after firing and re-filling members of the center's board of trustees and announcing he'd been elected chairman, named Grenell as its leader on Feb. 10. Grenell previously served as acting director of national intelligence and is a longtime foreign policy adviser to the president. "Look, the reality is, the Kennedy Center is open for business for everyone," Grenell told Fox News host Sean Hannity. "We just want an arts center that celebrates the arts — we want common sense art." Grenell also addressed rumblings that shows at the center were being canceled due to the Trump administration. "The new team at the Kennedy Center has not canceled anyone," he explained. "I know there are some rumors out there that, somehow, we were canceling shows. We have not canceled anyone. They've pulled out themselves, or they were told that, due to ticket sales, it wasn't financially good enough." One popular show that canceled plans to perform at the Kennedy Center was the Broadway production "Hamilton." The show's producer, Jeffrey Seller, released an official statement on social media Wednesday explaining the choice. "This latest action by Trump means it's not the Kennedy Center as we knew it," said the show's creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, in a joint interview Wednesday with Seller, according to The New York Times. "The Kennedy Center was not created in this spirit, and we're not going to be a part of it while it is the Trump Kennedy Center. We're just not going to be part of it." "I think that's intolerant," Grenell said. "And that's one of the things that Donald Trump has really brought back into Washington, into America, into the Kennedy Center — is to say everyone is welcome." Grenell floated the possibility of organizing a show during the holiday season celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. He emphasized that under his guidance, the Kennedy Center will strive to host programs that will be "very popular." "We can't continue to have an arts center that is making financial decisions that keep getting us into the hole," he said. "We need popular shows — we need shows that the public is going to come to."
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kennedy Center's Upcoming Performance (According to Steve Bannon) Deemed a 'Downgrade'
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' upcoming performance (at least, according to Donald Trump's former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon) following Trump's presidential takeover has shocked many in the theater community. According to Bannon, the J6 Prison Choir — which is indeed made up of previously imprisoned individuals involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection — will potentially be added to the lineup, as he announced at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). The news that "the J6ers," who were present at the event "from the medium-high security prisons to the U.S. penitentiaries," would possibly play the once-lauded venue in Washington, D.C., "for a night in honor of their families," was met with raucous applause from the audience. "Beautiful!" one attendee could be heard as Bannon paused to allow the news to sink in. He also shared his own idea for their potential performance, suggesting that they "invite all of the families they tried to destroy, the J6ers, and they get to sit in the boxes where the elites sit" while the "elites" are sent to the "D.C. gulag," shocking many internet users at home. Parade has reached out to the Kennedy Center for comment. "We're living in the upside down," one theater-lover mourned, referencing the horrifying alternate universe found in Netflix's Stranger Things. "So it begins," another lamented, bracing for whatever comes next, while another agreed, "Lord, what a downgrade." "I hear their rendition of 'Tomorrow Belongs to Me' is particularly chilling," someone else wrote, referencing the track from the musical Cabaret that is performed by young members of Hitler's regime. Another disappointed X (formerly Twitter) user called the move "DEI for terrorists," while someone else suggested calling the FBI "to report the second assassination of John F. Kennedy's memory." One even played on Trump's recent "honor" for "God Bless the U.S.A." songwriter Lee Greenwood, writing, "And I'm ashamed to be an American." "They can sing Amazing Disgrace," another quipped. CBS reported that Trump's intention was to put an end to the center's "woke culture" when he announced earlier this month that he'd be taking over the board. Shortly after the news, the Kennedy Center canceled the upcoming tour of the children's musical Finn, which "follows a young shark who realizes he may relate more to smaller, more gentler fishes," according to Playbill. The Kennedy Center claimed that the decision was financial in origin, but, per the publication, the musical could easily be seen as a metaphor for the LGBTQ+ experience, and the creators were "not surprised" by the move following "the events" that preceded the news. As a result, many previously scheduled performers have also pulled out of their events, including Issa Rae. "Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through mediums, I've decided to cancel my appearance at this venue," she explained in a statement, promising all ticketholders a refund. Next:
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Kennedy Center board makes Trump chairman, prompting Shonda Rhimes and others to resign
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' newly appointed board consisting of President Trump allies voted Wednesday to make him chairman and fired the center's longtime president, Deborah F. Rutter. Trump announced his new position on Truth Social, writing, "It is a Great Honor to be Chairman of The Kennedy Center, especially with this amazing Board of Trustees. We will make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!' Artists affiliated with the Washington, D.C., arts center immediately announced that they would step down from their roles, including TV producer Shonda Rhimes, a President Obama appointee who served as the center's treasurer. Musician Ben Folds stepped down as artistic adviser of the National Symphony Orchestra, which is headquartered at the center. Opera star Renée Flemning announced her intention to step down as an artistic adviser. Trump's appointment comes less than a week after the president stated his intention to take over as chairman and fire board members who did not share his vision for "a golden age in arts and culture." That proclamation caused confusion at the Kennedy Center, which noted in a statement at the time that it had not received any warning of changes. By Monday, the names of 18 board members as well as the board's longtime chairman, David M. Rubenstein, were deleted from the center's website. Most had been appointed by President Biden. The website currently lists 29 board members, all appointed by Trump. On Monday, Trump announced that he had appointed Richard Grenell as interim executive director. Grenell was ambassador to Germany during Trump's first term. Trump wrote that Grenell would oversee daily operations of the center, adding, "No more drag shows, or other anti-American propaganda — only the best. Ric, welcome to show business!" The Washington Post reported that Rutter tearfully spoke with Kennedy Center staff members at a meeting after the vote. 'I hope I'm not saying goodbye as a friend and colleague to all of you, but I am leaving now,' Rutter said. 'And I just want us to keep these ideals that we wear in our lanyard central to the work that we do. And they are from JFK and his family. They were the ones that confirmed them and added one. So let's remember: courage, justice, freedom, service and gratitude.' Trump has an acrimonious history with the Kennedy Center. During his first term, he skipped the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony after a number of honorees, including Norman Lear and Lionel Richie, threatened to boycott the event over statements Trump made in support of a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
New Kennedy Center board makes Trump chairman, prompting Shonda Rhimes and others to resign
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' newly appointed board consisting of President Trump allies voted Wednesday to make him chairman and fired the center's longtime president, Deborah F. Rutter. Trump announced his new position on Truth Social, writing, 'It is a Great Honor to be Chairman of The Kennedy Center, especially with this amazing Board of Trustees. We will make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!' Artists affiliated with the Washington, D.C., arts center immediately announced that they would step down from their roles, including TV producer Shonda Rhimes, a President Obama appointee who served as the center's treasurer. Musician Ben Folds stepped down as artistic adviser of the National Symphony Orchestra, which is headquartered at the center. Opera star Renée Flemning announced her intention to step down as an artistic adviser. Trump's appointment comes less than a week after the president stated his intention to take over as chairman and fire board members who did not share his vision for 'a golden age in arts and culture.' That proclamation caused confusion at the Kennedy Center, which noted in a statement at the time that it had not received any warning of changes. By Monday, the names of 18 board members as well as the board's longtime chairman, David M. Rubenstein, were deleted from the center's website. Most had been appointed by President Biden. The website currently lists 29 board members, all appointed by Trump. On Monday, Trump announced that he had appointed Richard Grenell as interim executive director. Grenell was ambassador to Germany during Trump's first term. Trump wrote that Grenell would oversee daily operations of the center, adding, 'No more drag shows, or other anti-American propaganda — only the best. Ric, welcome to show business!' The Washington Post reported that Rutter tearfully spoke with Kennedy Center staff members at a meeting after the vote. 'I hope I'm not saying goodbye as a friend and colleague to all of you, but I am leaving now,' Rutter said. 'And I just want us to keep these ideals that we wear in our lanyard central to the work that we do. And they are from JFK and his family. They were the ones that confirmed them and added one. So let's remember: courage, justice, freedom, service and gratitude.' Trump has an acrimonious history with the Kennedy Center. During his first term, he skipped the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony after a number of honorees, including Norman Lear and Lionel Richie, threatened to boycott the event over statements Trump made in support of a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va.
