“This year we honor five extraordinary international artists whose abundant contributions to their fields are remarkable. They have transformed the culture of our country and of the world,” said Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman. “Andrew Lloyd Webber has led a seismic change in our musical theater becoming the most popular theater composer in the world; conductor Zubin Mehta’s profound artistry and devotion to music make him a world treasure; Dolly Parton’s creativity and spirit make her country music’s best international ambassador; Smokey Robinson’s song and voice have created the soundtrack for the lives of a generation of Americans; and Steven Spielberg’s films make him one of the most successful and accomplished directors of all time.”
The annual Honors Gala has become the highlight of the Washington cultural year. The 2006 Honorees will be saluted by stars from the world of the performing arts at a gala performance in the Kennedy Center’s Opera House on Sunday evening, December 3, to be attended by the President of the United States and Mrs. Bush, and by artists from around the globe.
The above was the official release. However, you'll also see Aretha Franklin, Barbara Walters, Tom Hanks, Reese Witherspoon, Liam Neeson, Joan Collins, Alan Greenspan, Michael York, Ted Kennedy, Diane Feinstein, Jessica Simpson, Shania Twain, and Reba McIntire.
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