Six Receive Performing Arts Honors

WASHINGTON — President and Nancy Reagan on Sunday lauded six recipients of Kennedy Center Honors, including Lucille Ball, Ray Charles, the husband-and-wife acting team of Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy, violinist Yehudi Menuhin and choreographer Antony Tudor.

“We give this evening to you,” said Reagan, his wife at his side in a gleaming, gold lame Adolfo gown. “It’s the least we can do for all you have given to us.”

The Reagans brought together political and entertainment luminaries for a White House reception honoring the recipients, and later joined them at a salute performance in the Opera House of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The awards program, set up in 1978, was designed by the center’s trustees “to provide deserved recognition to individuals who throughout their lifetime have made significant contributions to American culture through the performing arts.”