Seattle Children’s Theater Cancels Upcoming Kennedy Center Production

Seattle Children’s Theater has made the decision to withdraw from its scheduled performances at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. The theater was set to present “Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story” in Washington D.C. starting in April following its premiere in Seattle on February 20. The play received a co-commission from the Kennedy Center and has been in development for two years.

Reasons for Cancellation

In a statement released on Tuesday, Managing Director Kevin Malgesini explained that the “landscape in which the Young Dragon was originally created has changed.” He emphasized that it was not the right time for Seattle Children’s Theater to present this production at the Kennedy Center. Over the past several years, multiple artists have canceled their performances at the Kennedy Center, citing dissatisfaction with changes in leadership and programming associated with the second Trump administration.

Insights from the Creative Team

Before making this decision, the production team engaged in extensive discussions about the future of “Young Dragon.” Malgesini revealed that these conversations included feedback from SCT staff, actors, the Kennedy Center, and Bruce Lee’s family. He stressed the importance of considering the impact on artists who were preparing for the two-week engagement in D.C.

Keiko Green, the playwright, expressed her mixed emotions regarding the cancellation. Growing up as a biracial Asian American, she noted the importance of representation on stage and recognized the show’s potential as a form of activism. One pivotal scene of the play illustrates young Bruce Lee’s encounter with Jesse Glover, a young Black man seeking protection against police brutality. This moment poses thought-provoking questions about cultural narratives and activism.

Financial Implications and Future Prospects

Seattle Children’s Theater’s agreement with the Kennedy Center would have allowed SCT to retain full artistic control. The Kennedy Center was scheduled to compensate the theater $80,000 for production costs, including shipping expenses and performer salaries. Malgesini acknowledged that canceling the D.C. run would incur financial repercussions for the theater.

• Young Dragon has sold out all of its school shows.
• There is potential for extending the local run to mitigate financial loss.
• Malgesini expressed optimism for public attendance at remaining shows.

Artistic Director Johamy Morales reflected on the journey of the production, aligning its lessons with the teachings of Bruce Lee. He shared insights from a conversation with Lee’s daughter, Shannon Lee, who emphasized creativity as a fundamental aspect of life. Morales hopes that sharing Lee’s story will inspire young audiences to engage deeply with their lives.

The decision to withdraw from the Kennedy Center production highlights the complexities of presenting art in a changing socio-political environment. Seattle Children’s Theater remains committed to navigating these challenges as they strive to bring “Young Dragon” to life.