Yahoo Lifestyle 'Hamilton' Musical Explains Shocking Decision for Canceled Performances
Hamilton will not be going forward with its previously scheduled performances at the Kennedy Center next year.
This week, the beloved Broadway musical announced the decision to cancel its scheduled run at the Kennedy Center's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in the wake of Donald Trump's recent takeover of the treasured venue.
Less than a month after being sworn into office, Trump purged Kennedy Center board members appointed by Joe Biden and secured control over the Washington, D.C. venue after his own appointees unanimously voted him in as chairman of the board.
In light of Trump's takeover, multiple acts have canceled appearances at the venue. Now, Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller is explaining the reasoning behind the musical's decision to do so.
In a statement shared with Parade, Seller said that the Kennedy Center, which was "founded over 50 years ago with a sincere bipartisan spirit," has now drastically changed.
"In recent weeks we have sadly seen decades of the Kennedy Center neutrality be destroyed," he stated, while insisting that the actions from Trump's administration have brought "a new spirit of partisanship to the national treasure that is the Kennedy Center."
"Given these recent actions, our show simply cannot, in good conscience, participate and be a part of this new culture that is being imposed on the Kennedy Center."
As a result, the Hamilton performances scheduled to take place at the center in March and April of next year, have effectively been canceled.
A statement from Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller. pic.twitter.com/yTLlrzFAHW
— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) March 5, 2025
In his statement, Seller insisted that the cancellation is also "a business decision," aimed at protecting the hundreds of Hamilton employees who would suffer "if the new leadership of the Kennedy Center suddenly cancelled or re-negotiated our engagement."
Seller claimed that the actions of Trump as chairman have proved that "contracts and previous agreements simply cannot be trusted."
He concluded his statement by adding, "We cannot presently support an institution that has been forced by external forces to betray its mission as a national cultural center that fosters the free expression of art in The United States of America."
Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda has also spoken out about the cancellation, stating, "This latest action by Trump means it’s not the Kennedy Center as we knew it... 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," per the New York Times.
Fans of the popular musical are admittedly "heartbroken" over the news, though several users online insisted that they "understand" the decision to cancel the performances.
"Very proud of you! I support you and this decision," one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter) after hearing the news.
"I am sorry for those that would have wanted to see it there, but it makes the most sense for the production for all the reasons you state," another user added.
