Tony Award Winner Mel Brooks Among 2009 Kennedy Center Honors Recipients
Tony Award winner Mel Brooks is among the artists who will receive the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts announced on September 9. The honors will be presented on December 5, the night before the center's annual gala, by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The gala will feature a diverse program of live entertainment and be broadcast by CBS on December 29.
In addition to Brooks, this year's other honorees are jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck, opera singer Grace Bumbry, famed actor and director Robert De Niro and singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen.
Brooks has enjoyed a long Hollywood and comedy career, which includes such films as Young Frankenstein, History of the World: Part 1, Spaceballs, The Producers and Robin Hood: Men in Tights, but he also made a name for himself on Broadway. He was the book writer for comedies including Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1952, Shinbone Alley and All American early in his career. Later, the successful 2001 Broadway musical adaptation of his flick The Producers earned him three Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score and Best Musical. Brooks followed up in 2007 with the adaptation of his film Young Frankenstein, which played 485 performaces at Broadway's Hilton Theatre before closing in early 2009.
"This year, the Kennedy Center celebrates five extraordinary individuals whose unique and abundant artistry has contributed significantly to the cultural life of our nation and the world. With his hilarious movies and musicals, Mel Brooks has created comedic gems that will keep us laughing for years to come. Dave Brubeck's genius has dazzled us for six decades and has helped to define an American art form. Grace Bumbry helped to break the color barrier on her way to one of the most illustrious operatic careers in the 20th century. One of America's greatest cinematic actors, Robert De Niro has demonstrated a legendary commitment to his characters and has co-founded one of the world’s major film festivals. With his gritty and honest songs that speak to the everyman, Bruce Springsteen has always had his finger on the pulse of America," Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman said in a statement.
Kennedy Honors recipients are recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts and are selected by the center's board of trustees.