Filed under: Television, News, Theater
When it comes to exemplifying performing arts in American culture, the annual Kennedy Center Honors showcases the lifetime achievements of today's most notable figures.
And this year's list of five honorees doesn't fall short of previous recipients, which includes Johnny Carson, Bruce Springsteen and Robert De Niro.
Today it was announced that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will be on hand to present awards to Oprah Winfrey, Sir Paul McCartney, Merle Haggard, choreographer Bill T. Jones and lyricist-composer Jerry Herman.
Despite pulling the plug on her 25-year show next year to launch her network, OWN, Winfrey already feels that she has "elevated" her career with her latest accomplishment.
"This feels like an official American citizenship in a very exclusive club of artists and contributors to the nation in a very special way," the media maven revealed to the Washington Post. "It feels like an elevated kind of award, and there aren't many in this category. They look at your work, your life work, who you are as a human being and the spirit of who you are as a human being. Not many honors look at that depth."
For Jones, helming one of the world's leading dance establishments, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company (responsible for choreographing the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater), and landing a Tony Award for his Broadway musicals 'Spring Awakening' and 'Fela!' was more than enough to qualify for an honor this year at the Kennedy Center Opera House.
The 2010 Kennedy Center Honors takes place Dec. 5 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and will air on CBS on Dec. 28.