WASHINGTON — All performances are being canceled at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts through August 9 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Although a 14-week run of "Hamilton" was set to go from June 16 to September 20, that entire upcoming engagement will be postponed.
"The Center’s programmers are exploring options for rescheduling artists and productions for a future date where possible. Kennedy Center leadership continues to strategize for the re-opening of the building, including the establishment of safety, health, and security protocols to enable the Center to re-open as soon as possible," a press release from the Kennedy Center said.
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) is also working to reschedule all planned concerts at the Kennedy Center through August 9, including the highly anticipated Beethoven at 250, the NSO’s three-week celebration of the composer’s remarkable genius and impact on music through performances of all nine symphonies conducted by Gianandrea Noseda, which was to take place May 28 through June 14, 2020.
“During unprecedented moments in history we look to the arts and artists for hope and creative reflections of humanity, but at this time we are not able to gather physically, communally, as we have before for the safety of our artists, staff, and patrons,” Kennedy Center president, Deborah Rutter said.
More than 1,000 events and performances have been postponed or canceled since the Center’s closure on March 13 through August 9. Affected programming not previously postponed or canceled includes the following ticketed events:
- Sheer Madness (through June 7)
- The NSO presentation of Lang Lang in Recital (May 23)
- NSO: Beethoven at 250 (May 28–June 14)
- Hamilton (June 16–September 20)
- The Second City: One State, Two State, Red State, Blue State (June 13–July 26)
- NSO Pops: Trey Anastasio (June 17)
- NSO DECLASSIFIED®: Ben Folds Presents (June 19)
- NSO Pops: Bernstein’s On the Town (June 25–28)
- NSO Pops: Amos Lee (June 30)
- The Hollies: The Road Is Long Tour (July 21)
- A Monster Calls (July 21–August 9)
- NSO Pops: Hauser (July 28)
Until further notice, the Kennedy Center campus and its facilities, including the restaurant, café, and other food services, will be closed.
While the Kennedy Center relies on both ticket sales and contributed revenue for all operational needs, officials with the Center ask that patrons consider donating the cost of tickets back to the institution. In return, patrons are able to receive a tax deduction.
Ticketholders for canceled performances have the following options:
- Donate tickets, and receive a tax deduction for the total ticket value
- Exchange tickets for a future date or alternate show (where possible)
- Exchange tickets for a Kennedy Center gift certificate, or
- Receive a full refund for the value of the ticket and associated fees