DETROIT (AP) — As Detroit Opera officials planned to incorporate a production inspired by the Central Park Five into their 2025 lineup, the looming presence of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump raised significant concerns. The opera tells the harrowing story of five Black and Latino teenagers wrongfully imprisoned for the 1989 rape and assault of a white woman in New York's Central Park, integrating Trump's role as a real estate mogul publicly advocating for the death penalty in this case.
The decision to include this production marks a commitment to bringing diverse and contemporary stories to opera houses, challenging the dominance of classic works historically prevalent in venues across Detroit and the United States. Yuval Sharon, the artistic director at the Detroit Opera, reflected on the potential reactions from audiences, especially considering Trump’s unpredictable political trajectory following the 2024 election. "As soon as the election happened last November, we did think to ourselves, how can we best prepare our audience and prepare our community to know what they're about to see when they come to the Detroit opera?” stated Sharon.
Despite the concerns, the opera went ahead, with the understanding that audiences would witness the performance during a time marked by Trump pursuing radical changes in the U.S. arts landscape. Upon taking office, Trump made headlines by removing the Kennedy Center board and appointing loyalists, claiming former members “do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” He also proposed budget cuts targeting the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and more recently authorized a 100% tariff on foreign-produced films entering the U.S.
Debuting in 2019, "The Central Park Five" opera garnered a Pulitzer Prize for music in 2020. It has also seen performances in cities like Portland, Oregon, and Long Beach, California, though no new performances have currently been scheduled. The opera revolves around the wrongful convictions of Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise, who have long maintained that their confessions were coerced.
The Central Park Five have come to symbolize the extensive harm wrought by racial biases regarding youth crime. Trump's inflammatory rhetoric included full-page newspaper ads, where he claimed, "I want to hate these muggers and murderers... they should be forced to suffer and, when they kill, they should be executed for their crimes." Anthony Davis, the opera's composer, emphasized how Trump’s actions and language effectively ignited racial tensions in New York, a pattern that has continued throughout his political career.
In 2002, the convictions of these five individuals were vacated after evidence identified a serial rapist as the true perpetrator. During his presidency, Trump consistently refused to apologize, asserting that “they admitted their guilt.” The opera incorporates Trump’s statements, with a performer taking on his role to depict his controversial impact on the Central Park Five case.
The performances of "The Central Park Five" event took place over three dates in May 2023 in Detroit, and those involved reported no significant backlash. Members of the arts community interpreted the decision to proceed with the opera as a form of resistance against the ongoing attempts to stifle artistic expression, particularly amidst protests against Trump’s policies, which some view as attempts to undermine artistic integrity and funding.
Nathan Granner, who portrays Korey Wise in the opera, acknowledged the safety precautions taken during the performances due to potential opposition. He expressed concerns about the possibility of violent responses to the show but noted, "They did very well in hiring extra security. We always felt safe.” However, he also reflected on whether Trump’s influence would affect the future of productions like "The Central Park Five," suggesting a bleak outlook, “With the way the political climate is, I don’t really foresee another performance of 'The Central Park Five' opera in the states in the next few years.” Granner expressed a desire to reprise his role should opportunities arise again.
