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If the Kennedy Center Is ‘Dangerous,’ Why Is the Symphony Rehearsing There?
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- President Trump has described the shuttered John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as dangerously unsafe, citing incidents like falling ceiling plaster and structural collapse risks.
- Despite these claims, around 100 members of the National Symphony Orchestra continue to rehearse regularly in the center’s main concert hall for upcoming performances.
- Musicians report no incidents of structural hazards during rehearsals and express gratitude for being able to work, though they remain cautious about speaking publicly due to potential retaliation.
- The orchestra’s current repertoire focuses on themes of hope and vitality amid adversity, reflecting their resilience despite the center’s precarious condition.
- The Kennedy Center remains closed to the public, with ongoing safety concerns and management warnings about various structural dangers within the building.
