On the CBS broadcast, Chita Rivera, Billy Porter, Kelli O’Hara, the cast of Ain’t Too Proud, and others appeared. The 44th Annual Kennedy Center Honors were broadcast on CBS on December 22.
Bette Midler, operatic bass-baritone Justino Daz, Berry Gordy, Motown founder, songwriter, producer, director, Lorne Michaels, and singer-songwriter during this year’s show Joni Mitchell were honored for their lifetime artistic achievements.
- Celebrities gather for the 44th Kennedy Center Honors (CBS, 9/8c) to honor theatre, film, and music masterpieces.
- Chita Rivera, a three-time Tony Award winner, honored Diaz, who was also honored by his daughters in a performance.
- Midler’s homage featured Tony and Emmy winner Billy Porter performing a medley of her classics and Tony winner Kelli O’Hara performing Midler’s Beaches anthem.
- Cast members Barbara Hershey, Goldie Hawn, and Scarlett Johansson make cameo appearances, as do Beanie Feldstein, Kate Baldwin, and Taylor Trensch. The cast of Ain’t Too Proud on Broadway
- Norah Jones, Ellie Golding, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, and Herbie Hancock were among others who paid tribute to Mitchell, including Norah Jones, Ellie Golding, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, and Herbie Hancock.
- Chairman of the Kennedy Center David M. Rubenstein stated, “The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes individuals whose art and innovation have benefitted us in significant ways.”
- “The Center’s Executive Committee chooses the honorees for their contributions to American culture via the performing arts—whether in music, dance, theatre, opera, film, or television.
- In addition to broadcasting on CBS, the Kennedy Center Honors will be streamed live and on-demand via Paramount Network.
On December 4, the recipients received medallions. On December 5, they were feted at an event sponsored by Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment, including David Letterman’s remarks.
In a performance, Chita Rivera, a three-time Tony Award winner, honored Diaz, who was also honored by his daughters, Katya Diaz and Natascia Diaz, three-time Helen Hayes Award winners and Broadway performers.
Midler’s homage included a medley of her classics performed by Tony and Emmy winner Billy Porter; a performance by Midler’s Hello, Dolly! Castmates Beanie Feldstein, Kate Baldwin, Taylor Trensch, and cameos by Barbara Hershey, Goldie Hawn, and Scarlett Johansson.
Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Andra Day, and the cast of Broadway’s, Ain’t Too Proud, which recently reopened at the Imperial Theatre, all helped pay tribute to Motown founder Berry Gordy. Norah Jones, Ellie Golding, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, and Herbie Hancock were among others who paid tribute to Mitchell, including Norah Jones, Ellie Golding, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, and Herbie Hancock.
Producer Michaels was honored by singer Paul Simon, actor and comedian Steve Martin, and a plethora of Saturday Night Live regulars:
“The Kennedy Center Honors luminaries whose art and inventiveness have benefited us beyond measure,” stated Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein in a prior statement. ” Justino Daz, with his distinctive, profoundly resonant voice and illustrious operatic career, has graced the stages of the world’s leading opera houses and is regarded as one of our time’s best bass-baritones.
Lorne Michaels developed the most enduring must-see television’; visionary music producer and composer Berry Gordy of Kennedy Center Honors transported the distinctive soulfulness of Detroit into every household in America, elevating the Motown sound to become a national treasure.
Joni Mitchell, who has released 19 albums and is one of the most influential singer-songwriters and cultural figures in 20th-century popular music, blends raw, deeply personal lyrics with her stunningly ethereal voice. Bette Midler has had an unrivaled and prolific career, entertaining millions with her incredible voice and trademark comedic wit. Bette Midler has had an unrivaled and prolific career, entertaining millions with her remarkable voice and trademark comedic wit; and Bette Mid.
The honorees are chosen by the Center’s Board of Trustees’ Executive Committee of Kennedy Center Honors for their contributions to American culture via the performing arts—whether in music, dance, theatre, opera, film, or television.
Watch the Stars Pay Tribute to SNL’s Lorne Michaels, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, and Others at the Kennedy Center Honors:
The annual event, which will be filmed on Sunday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., will Kennedy Center Honors singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, operatic bass-baritone Justino Daz, Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, legendary stage and screen icon Bette Midler, and Motown founder, songwriter, producer, and director Berry Gordy.
During the two-hour event, which former Late Show host David Letterman will introduce, Brandi Carlile, Andra Day, Beanie Feldstein, Kate Baldwin, and Taylor Trensch; Ellie Goulding; Herbie Hancock and Brittany Howard; Kelli O’Hara; Billy Porter; Smokey Robinson; Paul Simon; and Stevie Wonder will all perform.
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