2015 Kennedy Center Honors to Recognize Carole King, Rita Moreno, Cicely Tyson and More on CBS, 12/29

THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS recently announced their honorees for 2015 will be singer-songwriter Carole King, filmmaker George Lucas, actress and singer Rita Moreno, conductor Seiji Ozawa and actress and Broadway star Cicely Tyson. They will be recognized during THE 38TH ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, to be broadcast Tuesday, Dec. 29 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. CBS has broadcast the special each year since its debut 38 years ago.

"The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes the extraordinary and unparalleled talents of individuals whose impact and genius have left an indelible mark on civilization," stated Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein. "Quite simply, our Honorees represent the voices, soundtracks, and stories of our personal lives and memories. Carole King's heartfelt lyrics and tunes are woven throughout the tapestry of American music; George Lucas' films have enriched our world with stories of epic adventure; Rita Moreno's iconic spitfire roles are embedded in the heart of American culture; Seiji Ozawa's artistic leadership as a conductor has set a new standard for orchestras around the world; and Cicely Tyson's range of strong female roles on stage and screen have broken boundaries for women of color."

"When I look at this year's outstanding slate of Honorees, I am struck by a powerful common theme - artists as history-makers, artists who defy both convention and category," commented Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter. "Each Honoree and their career-spanning achievements exemplify a rare quality of artistic bravery. They have pushed the limits of their gifts as musicians, actors, and storytellers to inspire generations of Americans and those around the world. Their individual paths to excellence are inspirational and their contributions to the fabric of American culture are equally permanent and timeless."

In a star-studded celebration on the Kennedy Center Opera House stage, the 2015 Honorees will be saluted by great performers from Hollywood and the arts capitals of the world. Seated with President and Mrs. Obama, the Honorees will accept the thanks of their peers and fans through performances and heartfelt tributes.

The President and Mrs. Obama will receive the Honorees, members of the Artists Committee who nominate them, and the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees at the White House prior to the gala performance taping on Dec. 6. The 2015 Kennedy Center Honors Gala concludes with a supper dance in the Grand Foyer.

The Honors recipients are recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts - whether in dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures or television - and are selected by the Center's Board of Trustees. The primary criterion in the selection process is excellence. The Honors are not designated by art form or category of artistic achievement; over the years, the selection process has produced a balance among the various arts and artistic disciplines.

Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment are executive producers of the special. White Cherry Entertainment is well known for producing the award-winning TONY AWARDS for the last 13 consecutive years, and also for producing the Emmy Awards, NFL Opening Kickoff and SUPER BOWL Halftime Shows, the Democratic National Convention, Presidential Inaugural Galas, and many others. To date, White Cherry Entertainment has won eight Emmy Awards, while Kirshner and Weiss have individually received an additional four Emmy Awards, six Directors Guild Awards, a Peabody Award, and more than 30 Emmy nominations.

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