THE MUSICAL FINN SWIMS TO TOWN HALL
AFTER KENNEDY CENTER
PIRATES TOSSED IT OVERBOARD
The show they tried to sink is coming back stronger than ever. Finn, the vibrant family musical about a young shark learning to live his truth, is making a splash at NYC’s Town Hall on Monday, March 17—just weeks after the Kennedy Center abruptly canceled its planned national tour (ironically, the Kennedy Center actually commissioned it).. But if anyone thought that would silence its creators, they clearly underestimated the power of musical theater, a fiercely supportive Broadway community, and one determined little shark.
The company of Kennedy Center's World Premiere Musical Finn (photo by Teresa Wood)
With a book and lyrics by Doc McStuffins and Created by Chris Nee (Vampirina), who wrote the book, music and lyrics with Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond, Finn premiered at the Kennedy Center in 2024, winning rave reviews and a Helen Hayes Award nomination. Its national tour was set to bring its message of love and acceptance to even more audiences—until the Kennedy Center pulled the plug, citing financial reasons. The timing, however, raised ire more than eyebrows, coming just after a major leadership shift at the institution. The center also chomped the mounting of Broadway’s Eureka Day because—and they don’t need to say this—the hysterical outing concerns anti-vaxxers.
But what the Kennedy Center scrapped, Stars in the House is bringing back to life. Broadway power duo Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson are producing this one-night-only concert version of Finn, which also marks the fifth anniversary of their pandemic-born fundraising initiative. And they’re bringing reinforcements.
The March 17 concert boasts a knockout lineup, featuring Tony winners Andrea Martin, Kelli O’Hara, Lea Salonga, Bonnie Milligan, Jessie Mueller, Nikki M. James, Andrew Rannells, Jose Llana, and Hennessy Winkler. They’ll be joined by members of the original Kennedy Center cast and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington—whose own Kennedy Center performance was also not-so-mysteriously canceled—along with the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus in a show of solidarity.
“We will not be silenced. And we will not abandon the kids we wrote this show for,” said Finn’s creators after the cancellation. With Town Hall set to bring Finn to life once more, this little musical that could is proving that art will always find a way to shine.
After taking control of the Kennedy Center board, President Trump wrote on his Truth Social feed: “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.” Maybe he meant Auntie Proppa Ganda! For those who can’t make it in person to this VERY AMERICAN concert, worry not—it will be livestreamed, with a portion of proceeds supporting The Trevor Project, the leading crisis intervention organization for queer youth.
In person tickets start at $30 and are available at Ticketmaster. A limited number of $500 tickets are available at at Stars in the House, which includes VIP seating and a backstage meet and greet.
A few of the guests...with more to come!
[A side note about trying to silence artists: The International Pride Orchestra (IPO) has announced that its Pride Celebration Concert—part of World Pride Washington D.C. May 17-June 8, 2025—will take place on Thursday, June 5 at the renowned Strathmore in Bethesda, MD, following its disinvitation from Kennedy Center. See ya in D.C!]
