THE KENNEDY CENTER ANNOUNCES ITS HONOREES FOR 2018

Actress Cher, Composer and Pianist Philip Glass, Country Music Entertainer Reba McEntire and Jazz Saxophonist and Composer Wayne Shorter to Be Recognized on "The 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors," Dec. 26 on CBS

"Hamilton" Co-Creators Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler and Alex Lacamoire to Receive a Special Kennedy Center Honors for Groundbreaking Work

The Kennedy Center Honors announced today that its honorees for 2018 will be actress Cher, composer and pianist Philip Glass, country music entertainer Reba McEntire and jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter. Additionally, the co-creators of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "Hamilton" - writer and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, director Thomas Kail, choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler and music director Alex Lacamoire - will receive a unique Kennedy Center Honors as trailblazing creators of a transformative work that defies category. These artists will receive tributes during THE 41st ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, to be broadcast Wednesday, Dec. 26 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. CBS has broadcast the special each year since its debut 41 years ago.

"The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes exceptional artists who have made enduring and indelible marks on our culture," stated Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein. "Cher is the consummate star, wowing generations of fans with her distinctive voice, blockbuster albums and glittering on-screen presence; Philip Glass is a modern-day Mozart whose works across opera, symphony, chamber music and film define contemporary music and simply transfix us; country songstress Reba McEntire has inspired us over five decades with her powerhouse voice and music that conveys heartfelt, heartwarming honesty; Wayne Shorter is a seminal artist, defying categorization while carrying forward the mantle of jazz; and the creators of 'Hamilton' have literally and figuratively changed the face of American culture with daringly original, breathtakingly relevant work."

"The world looks to America for its creative instincts and artistic courage. This year's slate of Honorees represents the pinnacle of our nation's originality and the rich mosaic of diverse perspectives and art forms that have come to define who we are as a people," said Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter.

"As the national cultural center, the Kennedy Center is guided by its artistic mission to pay tribute to the past, to offer a platform for artists making transformative impact in the present, and to shepherd creative innovators as we look toward the future," Ms. Rutter continued. "Historically, the Kennedy Center Honors have celebrated lifetime achievement. In recognizing 'Hamilton' and its co-creators, the Kennedy Center is making an unprecedented statement about an unprecedented work - a work that transcends cultural boundaries and tells America's story in a powerful and contemporary way."

In a star-studded celebration on the Kennedy Center Opera House stage on Dec. 2, the 2018 Honorees will be saluted by today's leading performers from New York, Hollywood and the arts capitals of the world, accepting the recognition and gratitude of their peers through performances and tributes.

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 confirmed by the executive committee of 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 will executive produce the special for the fourth consecutive year. Also, Weiss returns as director. The Kennedy Center Honors founding producer is George Stevens, Jr.

ABOUT THE HONOREES

Cher (Singer, Actress)

A worldwide superstar and household name for more than 50 years, Cher has conquered more challenges than a handful of other talents put together - recording, concerts, film and Broadway acting, television and directing. Along the way, she has been richly rewarded with an Academy Award(R), a GRAMMY(R), an Emmy(R), three Golden Globes, a Cannes Film Festival Award and a People's Choice Award. Beginning as a studio backing singer in the 1960s, Cher met fledgling producer Sonny Bono, and they quickly became pop sensations with the worldwide smash "I Got You Babe." Their attention-grabbing hair and clothes were an early hint of Cher's subsequent profound influence on the world of fashion. The couple's popularity peaked with "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" television series until they split up in the mid-1970s. In 1982, Cher took a huge gamble to appear on Broadway in "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean." It worked, however, and prompted a hugely successful acting career, which included "Mask," "Silkwood" and "Mermaids" and culminated in an Academy Award(R) for Best Actress in "Moonstruck." Cher stunned the music world with a complete musical reinvention in the mid-1980s, highlighted by her controversial hit video for "If I Could Turn Back Time." But it would be her venture into the world of dance music with the GRAMMY(R) Award-winning "Believe" in 1998 that eclipsed it all. "Believe" made Cher the oldest woman (at 52) to have a #1 hit in the Hot 100 rock era. It made her the only female artist to have top 10 hits in every decade from the 1960s to 2000s. The subsequent three-year "Farewell Tour" played to more than three million fans, was captured in an Emmy(R) Award-winning TV special and is one of the most successful tours in history. Cher remains very active as a stage performer, actress and recording artist with a starring role in the current movie "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," a new album scheduled for September release, and a stage musical about her life debuting on Broadway in December.

Philip Glass (Composer, Pianist)

Born in Baltimore, Md., Philip Glass is a graduate of the University of Chicago and the Juilliard School. In the early 1960s, Glass spent two years of intensive study in Paris with Nadia Boulanger and, while there, earned money by transcribing Ravi Shankar's Indian music into Western notation. By 1974, Glass had a number of innovative projects creating a large collection of new music for the Philip Glass Ensemble and for the Mabou Mines Theater Company. This period culminated in Music in Twelve Parts and the landmark opera "Einstein on the Beach," for which he collaborated with Robert Wilson. Since then, Glass has expanded his repertoire to include music for opera, dance, theater, chamber ensemble, orchestra and film. His scores have received Academy Award nominations ("Kundun," "The Hours," "Notes on a Scandal") and a Golden Globe ("The Truman Show"). In the past few years, several new works were unveiled, including an opera on the death of Walt Disney, "The Perfect American" (co-commissioned by Teatro Real, Madrid and the English National Opera); a new touring production of "Einstein"; the publication of Glass' memoir, Words Without Music, by Liveright Books; and the premiere of the revised version of Glass' opera "Appomattox," in collaboration with librettist Christopher Hampton, at the Washington National Opera in November 2015. Glass celebrated his 80th birthday on Jan. 31, 2017 with the world premiere of "Symphony No. 11" at Carnegie Hall. His 80th birthday season featured curated programming around the globe, including the U.S. premieres of operas "The Trial" and "The Perfect American," and world premieres of several new works, including "Piano Concerto No. 3," "String Quartet No. 8" and his first "Piano Quintet." Other recent accolades include the U.S. National Medal of the Arts, presented to Glass by President Barack Obama in 2015. In 2016, Glass was named the 11th recipient of the Glenn Gould Prize, a lifetime achievement award given to prominent musicians. Also, he was honored to hold Carnegie Hall's Richard and Barbara Debs Composer's Chair throughout the 2017-2018 season. On Jan. 10, 2019, the Los Angeles Philharmonic will present the world premiere of Glass' "Symphony No. 12," based on David Bowie's album Lodger, and a completion of three symphonies based on Bowie's Berlin Trilogy. Glass continues to perform solo piano evenings, chamber music evenings with world renowned musicians and regularly appears with the Philip Glass Ensemble.

Reba McEntire (Country Music Entertainer)

Multi-media entertainment mogul Reba McEntire has become a household name through a flourishing career that spans music, television, film, theater and retail. Her album Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope topped both the Billboard Country and Christian/Gospel charts, bolstering McEntire's successful record of 35 #1 singles and over 56 million albums sold worldwide across four decades. The double-disc collection earned McEntire her third GRAMMY(R) Award and first GMA Dove Award. The Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry and Hollywood Bowl member has also won 16 ACM Awards, 15 American Music Awards, nine People's Choice Awards and six CMA Awards. Her leadership and philanthropic endeavors have been recognized with the Andrea Bocelli Foundation Humanitarian Award, Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award, the Music Biz Chairman's Award, the National Artistic Achievement Award from the U.S. Congress, and joining the Horatio Alger Association. McEntire returned for the 15th time to host the ACM Awards in April 2018 and led the 2017 ratings-high CMA Country Christmas television special. In 2005 she partnered with Dillard's to launch her own lifestyle brand, and launched the REBA by Justin(TM) collection at select retailers nationwide for holiday 2017. The Oklahoma native is an acclaimed actress with 11 movie credits to her name, a lead on Broadway in "Annie Get Your Gun," and starred in the six-season television sitcom "Reba." As part of the longest-running country act in the Colosseum's history, she will join with superstar pals for another round of "REBA, BROOKS & DUNN: Together in Vegas at Caesars."

Wayne Shorter (Jazz Saxophonist, Composer)

Wayne Shorter has been called a genius, a trailblazer, a visionary and one of the world's greatest composers. Born in Newark, N.J. in 1933, he grew up poring through comic books and imagining adventures in undiscovered universes. He studied music at New York University, and upon graduating, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. In 1959 Shorter joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers as a saxophonist, eventually composing for the group and becoming its music director. After four years, Miles Davis invited him to join his second historical quintet, with Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams and Ron Carter. This marked the beginning of Shorter's exploration of uncharted territories that led him to form, with pianist Joe Zawinul, the world's first fusion band, Weather Report. Over the next decade, Short produced a succession of jazz albums for the Columbia label. During this period, he became known for collaborations with greats across genres, including Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Carlos Santana and Don Henley. In 1996 he released High Life, which received the GRAMMY(R) for best contemporary jazz album. Two years later, he reunited with longtime friend Herbie Hancock for an intimate duet recording entitled "1+1," winning another GRAMMY for their collaboration. In 2000 he formed his first acoustic group under his name, the Wayne Shorter Quartet, featuring Danilo Shorter, John Patitucci and Brian Blade, which still performs today. At the same time, Shorter began exploring the world of classical music. He paired with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw, and the BBC Chamber Orchestra, unveiling his new symphonic repertoire. Shorter is the recipient of the NEA Jazz Masters Award (1998), the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award (2015) and, most recently, the prestigious Polar Music Prize (2017). With a total of 11 GRAMMY Awards under his belt, Shorter refuses to slow down. Currently, in collaboration with Esperanza Spalding, he is composing his first opera, "Iphigenia," his ultimate expression honoring the nobility of humanity - to awaken one's inherent power. Wayne Shorter believes that there are no limits: "To me, jazz means: I dare you."

The Co-Creators of "Hamilton"

Lin-Manuel Miranda (Writer and Actor)

Lin-Manuel Miranda is a Pulitzer Prize, GRAMMY(R), Emmy(R) and Tony(R) Award-winning composer, lyricist and actor. He is the creator and original star of Broadway's Tony Award-winning shows "Hamilton" and "In the Heights." Additionally, his Broadway credits include "Bring It On: The Musical" (co-composer/co-lyricist, Tony nomination for Best Musical) and "West Side Story" (2009, Spanish translations). A 2015 MacArthur Foundation Award recipient, Miranda composed songs for Disney's "Moana" (2017 Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Best Original Song). He has actively supported the relief efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in September 2017, creating the benefit single "Almost Like Praying." TV/film credits include "Saturday Night Live" (2017 Emmy nomination, Guest Actor), "Sesame Street," "The Electric Company," "House," "How I Met Your Mother," "DuckTales," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "200 Cartas," "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" and the upcoming 2018 holiday movie "Mary Poppins Returns." In addition to his work as an artist, Miranda has worked with the Hispanic Federation since Hurricane Maria to support the rebuilding of Puerto Rico, and most recently he announced the launch of the Flamboyan Arts Fund to provide grants for artists, cultural institutions and programs on the island. Miranda received his B.A. from Wesleyan University in 2002. He lives with his family in New York City.

Thomas Kail (Director)

Thomas Kail received the 2016 Tony Award(R) for his direction of the Broadway production of "Hamilton." He received a Tony nomination for his direction of "In the Heights." Additional Broadway credits include the new plays "Lombardi" and "Magic/Bird." Other credits include the world premiere of "Hamilton," "Kings," "Tiny Beautiful Things" and "Dry Powder" at the Public Theater; the world premiere of "In the Heights," "Broke-ology" and the world premiere of "When I Come to Die" at Lincoln Center Theater; the world premiere of "Daphne's Dive" at the Signature Theatre; Randy Newman's "Faust," as well as "The Wiz" at New York City Center; the world premiere of "The Tutors" at Second Stage Uptown; the world premiere of "Broke-ology" at Williamstown Theater Festival; the world premiere of A.R. Gurney's "Family Furniture" at The Flea; and the national tour of "In the Heights." Kail is the co-creator and director of the Hip Hop improv group Freestyle Love Supreme. He won the 2016 Emmy(R) for his direction of "Grease Live." Also, Kail is the recipient of a Drama Desk Award, an Obie, a Callaway Award, the Lucille Lortel Award and the Martin E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center. He is a graduate of Wesleyan University.

Andy Blankenbuehler (Choreographer)

Andy Blankenbuehler is a proud three-time Tony Award(R) winner for his choreography in the Broadway productions of "Hamilton," "Bandstand" and "In The Heights." The recent production of "Bandstand" (director/choreographer) also received the Drama Desk and Chita Rivera Award for Best Choreography. Additional Broadway credits include "Bring It On" (Tony nomination), "9 to 5" (Tony nomination), "The People in the Picture," "The Apple Tree," "Annie," and the recent revival of "CATS." Other theatrical work includes "Desperately Seeking Susan" (West End), the world premiere of the new musical "FLY" (Dallas Theatre Center), "The Wiz" (City Center Encores), "A Little Princess" (Andrew Lippa), and the recent international tour of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Upcoming projects include the new musical "Only Gold" with British singer/songwriter Kate Nash. On television, Mr. Blankenbuehler's work has appeared on "Dirty Dancing," "America's Got Talent," "So You Think You Can Dance," "The Sopranos," MTV, "Sesame Street" featuring Janelle Monae, and many commercials. He has staged concert work for both Elton John and Bette Midler, and he conceived, directed and choreographed the hit Caesars Palace production "Nights on Broadway." His work will be seen on the big screen next year in a yet-to-be-titled film with writer/director Adam McKay, starring Christian Bale and Steve Carell. As a performer, Mr. Blankenbuehler danced on Broadway in "Fosse," "Contact," "Man of La Mancha," "Saturday Night Fever," "Steel Pier," "Big" and "Guys and Dolls." Originally from Cincinnati, Mr. Blankenbuehler resides in New York City with his wife, Elly, and two children, Luca and Sofia. He is a recipient of a special 2015 Drama Desk Award for his achievement in the theater.

Alex Lacamoire (Music Supervisor/Orchestrator/Co-Arranger)

Alex Lacamoire is a three-time Tony Award(R) and three-time GRAMMY(R) winner for his work on the Broadway musicals "Hamilton," "Dear Evan Hansen" and "In The Heights." His film credits include "The Greatest Showman" (executive music producer) and "Incredibles 2" (arranger/orchestrator). As music director, arranger and/or orchestrator on Broadway, he has worked on "Annie" (2011 Broadway revival), "Bring It On," "The People In The Picture," "9 to 5" (Drama Desk and Grammy nominations), "Legally Blonde," "High Fidelity" and "Wicked." Other theatrical credits include "Bat Boy: The Musical," "Godspell" (2001 National Tour), orchestrations for the Rockettes and the Academy Awards. He is an Emmy-nominated composer for "Sesame Street."

RATING: To Be Announced