Tony-nominated musical cancels performance at Library of Congress after Trump fires Carla Hayden

Published: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 8:02 pm

Tony-Nominated "Dead Outlaw" Cancels Library of Congress Appearance After Carla Hayden Firing

The highly acclaimed Broadway musical "Dead Outlaw," a Tony Award nominee, has canceled its planned appearance at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., in response to the firing of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. The production, which was set to donate items from its development to the library's permanent collection and feature a performance, announced the cancellation on Friday.

The musical's creators, including composers David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, and book writer Itamar Moses, were scheduled to participate in a talk at the library's Coolidge Auditorium. Their decision to withdraw stems from the termination of Dr. Hayden, whom they described as a "fierce advocate for preserving America's cultural memory" and a "great champion of the Broadway community."

"Dead Outlaw," which opened on Broadway on April 27th, is nominated for Best Musical at the upcoming Tony Awards. The show tells the true story of Elmer McCurdy, a dead outlaw whose preserved corpse embarked on a bizarre second life, becoming a sideshow attraction and even a prop in an amusement park. The musical stars Andrew Durand as McCurdy and features New Jersey native Julia Knitel, who is nominated for her first Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Other nominations include Best Lead Actor for Durand, Best Featured Actor for Jeb Brown, Best Book for Moses, Best Score (music and lyrics) for Yazbek and Della Penna, and Best Direction for David Cromer. The show enjoyed a successful run off-Broadway in 2024, winning multiple awards before its Broadway debut.

This cancellation highlights the intersection of art and politics, demonstrating the Broadway community's support for cultural institutions and their leadership.

Keywords: Dead Outlaw, Broadway, Tony Awards, Library of Congress, Carla Hayden, Donald Trump, musical, cancellation, Elmer McCurdy, Andrew Durand, Julia Knitel, David Yazbek, Erik Della Penna, Itamar Moses, Best Musical, Tony nominee, Washington D.C., Broadway musical, cultural memory, theater, performance

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