WASHINGTON ―President Donald Trumpand first ladyMelania Trumpare set to attend the opening-night showing of the musical Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center next week, making a rare public appearance in Washington's nightlife by visitingthe cultural institution Trump controversially took over. The White House confirmed the first couple's attendance to USA TODAY. But they won't be seeing all of the musical's cast members,some of whom planto sit out of the show that night, CNN and the Washington Post reported. Vice President JD Vanceand second lady Usha Vance will also attend the same showing of Les Misérables. The musical debuts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on June 11 and runs through July 13. "I love the songs, I love the play,"Trump told Fox Newson June 3 afterThe Atlantic first reportedon the plans to attend Les Misérables. "I think it's great ‒ we may extend it." More:JD Vance booed by crowd at Kennedy Center concert after Trump takeover of arts venue Les Misérables, set in early 19th-century France, tells the story of French peasant Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who struggles to find redemption after 19 years in prison. Trump is known to have "Do you hear the people sing? ‒ one of the musical's most famous songs about everyday people rising up against injustices ‒playing as he enters for campaign rallies. ForJD Vance, his attendance at the Kennedy Center comes after hewas loudly booed and jeeredwhile attending a National Symphony Orchestra performance at the center in March. Just weeks into his second White House term,Trump ousted the Kennedy Center's leadershipin February and named himself board chairman after complaining about "woke" programming and "drag shows" at the center. He named top ally Ric Grenell, his envoy for special missions, as the Kennedy Center's new president. But Trump's takeover has sparked a significant backlash. More:'I never liked 'Hamilton' very much,' President Trump says in visit to Kennedy Center Acts such as actress Issa Rae and the Broadway hit "Hamilton" canceled previously scheduled Kennedy Center performances in response to Trump's takeover. And the center has experienced a nosedive in yearly subscriptions. The Washington Post reported sales of subscriptionsfor the next season of programming at the Kenny Center have plummeted by 36%, down about $1.6 million in revenue from subscription sales to theater, dance, classical and other seasons of performance from the same point in 2014. Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump, Vance to attend Les Misérables opening night at Kennedy Center
