Donald Trump

Deborah Rutter Releases Statement in Response to Trump Kennedy Center Allegations
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 20, 2025

Ousted Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter released statement in response to allegations by members of the Trump administration regarding the financial health and past stewardship of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 

Video: Randy Rainbow Drops 'That's Trump Derangement!' Song Parody Music Video
by Michael Major - May 20, 2025

Randy Rainbow has released a parody of 'That's Entertainment,' titled 'That's Trump Derangement!' The new music video jokes about the stress and anxiety Americans have taken on since Donald Trump has taken office.

Following Trump Threats, Kennedy Center Season Features Several Non-Equity Tours
by Joshua Wright - May 19, 2025

The Kennedy Center will feature non-Equity tours of Mrs. Doubtfire and Chicago. The venue usually only books Equity touring productions. The shift follows pressure from President Trump to reduce union costs.

REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER May 16 Episode Lineup Features Stanley A. McChrystal & More
by Josh Sharpe - May 15, 2025

This week on Real Time with Bill Maher features a one-on-one interview with Stanley A. McChrystal, retired four-star Army general and author of the book “On Character: Choices That Define a Life.”

Review: HOUSE OF GAMES, Hampstead Theatre
by Gary Naylor - May 13, 2025

Beautifully performed, but somewhat vanilla, Richard Bean's adaptation lacks a necessary bite

Review: JUST LIKE US at Los Angeles Theatre Center
by Evan Henerson - May 10, 2025

Tenderly staged by director Fidel Gomez, the docudrama boils our stomach juices more over the circumstances of our country than over what we witness being played out among the central characters.

Detroit Opera to Present Anthony Davis's THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE This Month
by Josh Sharpe - May 9, 2025

On May 10, 16, and 18, Detroit Opera will present The Central Park Five, directed by Nataki Garrett and featuring a new, expanded orchestration by composer Anthony Davis.

Trump Nominates Mary Anne Carter to Lead National Endowment for the Arts Amid Agency Turmoil
by Joshua Wright - May 8, 2025

President Trump has nominated former chair Mary Anne Carter to lead the National Endowment for the Arts, as the agency faces budget threats and widespread grant terminations.

Grenell Rebukes LES MISÉRABLES Cast & Lin-Manuel Miranda Over Political Boycotts at the Kennedy Center
by Joshua Wright - May 8, 2025

Richard Grenell, Trump-appointed Kennedy Center interim director, criticizes Les Mis performers and Lin-Manuel Miranda amid rising tensions between artists and the Trump-aligned arts institution

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 8, 2025
by - May 8, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 8, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Opera San José Loses $25K In NEA Grant Funding
by A.A. Cristi - May 8, 2025

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced on Friday, May 2, that the NEA is updating its grantmaking policy priorities to focus funding on projects “that reflect the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity” as prioritized by President Donald Trump.

Some LES MISÉRABLES Cast Members Plan Boycott of Trump Appearance at Kennedy Center
by Joshua Wright - May 7, 2025

As Donald Trump plans to attend a fundraiser and performance of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center on June 11, multiple cast members have opted out in protest.

Trump Administration Proposes $257 Million Boost for Kennedy Center Renovations Amid Arts Cuts
by Sidney Paterra - May 6, 2025

Donald Trump is backing a massive $257 million federal funding package for the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, more than six times its typical annual support.

Video: Randy Rainbow Parodies CINDERELLA With 'Incompetent!' Music Video
by Michael Major - May 6, 2025

Randy Rainbow has released a parody of 'Impossible' from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, titled 'Incompetent!' The new music video takes on the recent news that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth leaked war plans in a groupchat.

San Francisco International Arts Festival $20K NEA Grant Withdrawn Mid-Program
by A.A. Cristi - May 4, 2025

San Francisco International Arts Festival has lost a 20K NEA pledge in the midst of its two-week program due to Trump cuts to the agency. The grant award was originally made in November 2024.

St. Louis' JOAN LIPKIN Inducted into the College Of Fellows Of The AmericanTheatre
by James Lindhorst - May 3, 2025

This week St. Louisan Joan Lipkin was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre in ceremonies held on April 26 – 27, 2025 at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. Lipkin is a internationally renowned theatre artist, playwright, educator, and activist who works in the intersection of performance and civic engagement to create dialogue about pressing issues. Lipkin called the cohort inducted this year “wonderful.” She was humbled to be included with the esteemed group of theatre professionals who were also inducted including Tony winner André De Shields, playwright and songwriter Caridad Svich, playwright and screenwriter Kristopher Diaz, author Daniel Banks, author J. Ellen Gainor, and Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning Playwright August Wilson who was inducted posthumously on what would have been his 80th birthday.  

Actors’ Equity Condemns Trump’s Plan to Defund the National Endowment for the Arts
by A.A. Cristi - May 2, 2025

Actors' Equity Association is raising alarm over President Donald Trump’s latest budget proposal, which calls for the elimination of federal funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and other cultural agencies.

Review: TAMBO & BONES, Stratford East
by Kat Mokrynski - May 1, 2025

Tambo and Bones are trapped in a minstrel show. Tambo and Bones have taken the world by storm with their rap music. Tambo and Bones are the leaders of the revolution. Are Tambo and Bones real? Or are they simply characters in a play? Written by Dave Harris and directed by Matthew Xia, Tambo & Bones asks an impossible question to its audience - how do you know what’s real?

Mellon Foundation Awards $15 Million in Emergency Funding to State Humanities Councils
by Joshua Wright - Apr 29, 2025

The Mellon Foundation announced $15 million in emergency support for state humanities councils after the National Endowment for the Humanities canceled grants to redirect funding toward President Trump's priorities, leaving many councils at risk.

Industry Pro Newsletter: Audience Trust in a Post-Election Environment, Full List of Outer Critics Circle Nominees
by Alex Freeman - Apr 28, 2025

This week, we'll look at Colleen Dilenschneider's latest data on audience trust in a post-election environment and explore the immersive possibilities of the new StagePlay mixed-reality app for live performances. In New York, Broadway's Outer Critics Circle nominations and a special Tony Award for Harvey Fierstein, and the abrupt closure of Life and Trust. Finally, we'll take a look at key developments in regional and international theater, from Philadelphia's TKTS success to legal challenges in Texas and more programming changes at the Kennedy Center.