By Paul Duning, publisher, Capitol Communicator
Late in the day this past Friday, I received an email from my wife Carol Clurman, (pictured above) senior editor with USA Weekend magazine, that she was able to secure an extra ticket to the Kennedy Center Honors that were held last night. She covers entertainment but in the past another editor usually covered this event. Seldom are spouses/guests allowed to join the entertainment press to such events however, wait a minute, Capitol Communicator, we’re press.
I am a huge fan of four of the five honorees and after seeing a short film about opera singer, Grace Melzia Bumbry I have added her to my fan list. When Aretha Franklin recognizes you as a diva you know you’ve got it. The stunningly beautiful Romanian opera star, Angela Gheorghiu paid tribute to Ms. Bumbry in a performance from Carmen.
Wow, what a line-up of honorees! I‘ve loved jazz for years and I particularly like Dave Brubeck. What a cool life he’s had and such incredible talent as described by Herbie Hancock. The musical tribute to him last evening was particularly moving in a multi-ensemble set when it was introduced, at least to me, that his legendary Brubeck quartet will live on through his sons, all very talented musicians. Of course, Take 5 was performed but at the close of the set for Brubeck, a jazz rendition of Happy Birthday was performed for Brubeck who was also celebrating his 89th birthday.
Robert De Niro is such a great actor. “Godfather”, “Raging Bull”, “Taxi Driver”, “Meet the Parents” are just a few of my favorites that evidence the range that his body of work covers. Friends and collaborators’ Meryl Streep and Martin Scorses gave fitting tributes to De Niro as well as Ed Norton, Ben Stiller, Harvey Keitel and Sharon Stone, nominated for an academy award for best actress as Sam "Ace" Rothstein’s (De Niro) trophy wife in “Casino”.
There is only one Mel Brooks. I have been brought to tears of laughter so many times by his brilliance as a writer, composer, actor, director and producer. “Get Smart”, “Blazing Saddles”, “History of the World”, “High Anxiety”, “Spaceballs”, “Young Frankenstein”, “Robin Hood – Men in Tights” and, of course “The Producers” – what more can I say. Carl Reiner was hilarious in the introduction of Brooks. Jack Black, Matthew Broderick, Martin Short and a cast of many others did a rousing performance from some of the best scenes in Brooks’ many works.
John Stewart captured the essence of the Boss, Bruce Springstein, when he described him as the son of James Brown and Bob Dylan who was left on the side of the road around exits 8a and 9 along the Jersey turnpike. This description brought the star-studded and power elite in the grand Kennedy Center Opera House all to a roar in laughter. It’s hard to get the Boss to wince but Stewart did it. Stewart is a huge Springstein fan, as well as all of us that have ever seen him perform. As Stewart said, “He gives everything he’s got”. Tributes to Springstein were performed by John Mellencamp, Ben Harper, Jennifer Nettles, Melissa Ethridge and Eddie Vedder. The evening closed with a rousing chorus lead by Sting performing Springstein’s “Come on up for the Rising”.
It is not our beat, but it is our city. The Kennedy Center Honors, is the highest honor a performing artist can receive in the USA. It was a blast to be there and it is great to be in this city. The Kennedy Center Honors will air nationwide on CBS on Tuesday, December 29, at 9 p.m.
To get a sampling of the Kennedy Center Honors including Stings performance of Springstein’s “Come on up for the Rising” click here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5VrtRO45kU&feature=player_embedded