Latest news with #TheJohnF.KennedyCenterforthePerformingArts
CNN
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Conan O'Brien explains why he went to the Kennedy Center for the Mark Twain Award
Conan O'Brien is opening up about his decision honor a commitment his made to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Several performers have canceled performances at the renowned and historically bipartisan arts institution after President Donald Trump criticized the venue of which he's now the chairman and installed political loyalists in top leadership positions. On Friday's episode of his 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend' podcast, O'Brien said he wanted to talk about the 'momentous moment' in his career. The award was given to him by the 'old regime,' O'Brien said, and he wanted to 'honor their decision.' 'Obviously for the last couple of months with the new administration, there's been some controversial stuff going on with the Kennedy Center,' he added. 'There was a question of 'Should I go? Should I not go?'' he said. 'And I felt like it was important to show up.' The comedian described the night positively. 'It was really lovely because the young people working at the Kennedy Center for years were delighted that we came.' he said. 'They don't know what their future is.' O'Brien was selected by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to receive the 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in January. The prize, which is named to honor one of the world's greatest humorists, was awarded at a gala performance on March 23 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall and featured some of the biggest names in comedy, including David Letterman, Sarah Silverman, and John Mulaney who celebrated O'Brien. The event was filmed to later stream on Netflix. A date for the show has not yet been announced.
CNN
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Conan O'Brien explains why he went to the Kennedy Center for the Mark Twain Award
Conan O'Brien is opening up about his decision honor a commitment his made to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Several performers have canceled performances at the renowned and historically bipartisan arts institution after President Donald Trump criticized the venue of which he's now the chairman and installed political loyalists in top leadership positions. On Friday's episode of his 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend' podcast, O'Brien said he wanted to talk about the 'momentous moment' in his career. The award was given to him by the 'old regime,' O'Brien said, and he wanted to 'honor their decision.' 'Obviously for the last couple of months with the new administration, there's been some controversial stuff going on with the Kennedy Center,' he added. 'There was a question of 'Should I go? Should I not go?'' he said. 'And I felt like it was important to show up.' The comedian described the night positively. 'It was really lovely because the young people working at the Kennedy Center for years were delighted that we came.' he said. 'They don't know what their future is.' O'Brien was selected by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to receive the 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in January. The prize, which is named to honor one of the world's greatest humorists, was awarded at a gala performance on March 23 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall and featured some of the biggest names in comedy, including David Letterman, Sarah Silverman, and John Mulaney who celebrated O'Brien. The event was filmed to later stream on Netflix. A date for the show has not yet been announced.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lin-Manuel Miranda Cancels ‘Hamilton' Run at ‘Trump Kennedy Center': ‘Not Going to Be Part of It'
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. The venue originally announced plans for the yearlong celebration in July 2024, noting the return of Hamilton to the prestigious stage. But that was before Donald Trump was elected for a second term as president and decided to gut the Kennedy Center in favor of declaring himself chairman. Not wanting his story to be part of this narrative, Lin-Manuel Miranda has canceled the scheduled Hamilton run. 'This latest action by Trump means it's not the Kennedy Center as we knew it,' Miranda said in a joint interview with Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller, per 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.' More from Rolling Stone Republicans Want to Put Poor People Through Hell to Fund Tax Cuts for the Rich Trump Expected to Sign Order to Dismantle the Education Department Trump Doubles Down on America's Betrayal of Ukraine Hamilton was previously performed at the Kennedy Center in 2018 during Trump's first term and initially scheduled to return in 2020 before pandemic-related cancelations took effect. 'We are not acting against his administration, but against the partisan policies of the Kennedy Center as a result of his recent takeover,' Seller wrote in a statement. Since Trump removed Deborah Rutter as Kennedy Center president to instate Richard Grenell and replaced David Rubenstein as chairman, the sanctity of the center has been disrupted, said Seller, who described the shake-up as an end to 'the spirit of nonpartisanship.' He added, 'Political disagreement and debate are vital expressions of democracy. These basic concepts of freedom are at the very heart of Hamilton. However, some institutions are sacred and should be protected from politics. The Kennedy Center is one such institution.' Seller also noted concern that, even if they were to proceed with the performances scheduled for March 3 through April 26, 2026, they would be taking a major risk. 'It would simply be financially and personally devastating to the hundreds of employees of Hamilton if the new leadership of the Kennedy Center suddenly cancelled or re-negotiated our engagement,' he said. 'The actions of the new Chairman of the Board in recent weeks demonstrate that contracts and previous agreements simply cannot be trusted.' The Hamilton cancellation marks the latest entry in a wave of members of the arts putting distance between their work and Trump. Issa Rae cancelled a sold-out show citing 'an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums.' Ben Folds stepped down as artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra. Opera singer and actress Renée Fleming left her role as artistic advisor at large and Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey's Anatomy and the Kennedy Center board's treasurer, also resigned. 'It became untenable for us to participate in an organization that had become so deeply politicized,' Seller said in his interview with Miranda. 'The Kennedy Center is for all of us, and it pains me deeply that they took it over and changed that. They said it's not for all of us. It's just for Donald Trump and his crowd. So we made a decision we can't do it.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Donald Trump Says He Will Fire Kennedy Center Board Members and Name Himself Chairman
President Donald Trump has declared his intention to take over the leadership of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. D.C. After The Atlantic first reported the news, Trump confirmed his plans in a Friday evening Truth Social post, writing, 'At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN. I have decided to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.' More from Variety Travis Kelce Got Criticized for Saying Trump at the Super Bowl Is 'Cool.' But 'The View' Hosts Defend Him for Giving a 'Classy, Diplomatic Answer' Tim Robinson Said Lorne Michaels 'Lost His F-ing Mind' Inviting Trump to Host 'SNL' Trump Is on a Winning Streak in War on Press: Is the Sullivan Decision Next? Trump went on to declare that he would instate himself as chairman of the newly-formed board. 'We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!' He then attacked drag programming mounted at the performing arts center, adding, 'Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP. The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!' Current chairman David Rubenstein was set to hold the position through 2026. It is not yet clear if Trump's plan is within his authority. More to come… Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
