The 34th Kennedy Center Honors 2011

ABC News anchorDiane Sawyer arrives with her husband, director Mike Nichols, at the 34th Kennedy Center Honors.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

“New Year’s Eve” star Robert De Niro arrives with his wife, Grace Hightower.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

Former Major League Baseball player Cal Ripken attends the event.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

“The Hunger Games” actor Stanley Tucci, who has co-starred with Kennedy Center honoree Meryl Steep in several films, arrives with his guest.

From the upper balcony, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, left, a recipient of the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors, listens to the national anthem with First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama.  (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press)

Musician Sonny Rollins is among this year’s Kennedy Center honorees.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash arrives with the Sesame Street star on the red carpet.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

“Private Practice” actress Audra McDonald arrives at the event with a guest.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

Singer Lionel Richie arrives at the event.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

Comedian Stephen Colbert arrives at the event with his wife, Evelyn McGee-Colbert.  (Kevin Wolf / Associated Press)

Comedian Tracey Ullman attends the event.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

Musician Raphael Saadiq attends the event.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

“Albert Nobbs” and “Damages” actress Glenn Close attends the event.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

“The Office” star John Krasinksi jokes with his wife, actress Emily Blunt, on the red carpet.   (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

The 2011 Kennedy Center Honors recipients are shown in the upper balcony during the Kennedy Center Honors gala. From bottom left, saxophonist and composer Sonny Rollins, singer Barbara Cook, singer and songwriter Neil Diamond, actress Meryl Streep and cellist Yo-Yo Ma listen to the national anthem with First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama.  (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press)

Broadway actress Sutton Foster attends the event.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

Politician Newt Gingrich is shown with his wife, Callista Gingrich.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

“Wonder Woman” actress Lynda Carter arrives at the event with a guest.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

“The Brady Bunch” actress Florence Henderson arrives with her son, Robert Bernstein, at the 34th Kennedy Center Honors.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

“The Talk” co-host Julie Chen and her husband, CBS President and CEO Les Moonves, arrive at the Kennedy Center.  (Michael Tran / Getty Images)

President Barack Obama greets honoree Barbara Cook while fellow honoree Neil Diamond looks on during a reception in the East Room of the White House.   (Jewel Samad AFP / Getty Images / December 4, 2011)

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive in the East Room of the White House.   (Jewel Samad AFP / Getty Images / December 4, 2011)

Singer Neil Diamond, center, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, right, applaud for Broadway star Barbara Cook.  (Brendan Smialowski-Pool / Getty Images)

“Colbert Report” host Stephen Colbert arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors reception with his wife, Evelyn McGee-Colbert.   (Brendan Smialowski-Pool / Getty Images / December 4, 2011)

From left, Broadway star Barbara Cook, singer Neil Diamond, musician Yo-Yo Ma, musician Sonny Rollins and actress Meryl Streep listen to President Barack Obama during the Kennedy Center Honors reception in the East Room of the White House.  (Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images / December 4, 2011)

President Barack Obama delivers a speech during the Kennedy Center Honors reception.   (Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images / December 4, 2011)

Actor John Lithgow arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors reception in the East Room of the White House.  (Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images / December 4, 2011)

Sarah Jessica Parker waits to be seated for the Kennedy Center Honors reception.   (Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images / December 4, 2011)