Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds & 'Hamilton''s Leslie Odom, Jr. to Headline Kennedy Center's Marvin Gaye Tribute

The Kennedy Center today announced R&B singer Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Broadway star Leslie Odom, Jr. will replace Michael Bubl� as the headline talent for its upcoming "Spring Gala, How Sweet It Is: A Tribute to Marvin Gaye," on Sunday, June 5, 2016 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Due to required vocal cord surgery, Bubl� has withdrawn from this performance.

The evening's program celebrates Gaye's enigmatic and innovative contributions to the Motown sound during the peak of his career in the 1970s and 1980s, and his musical influence that spans generations. Hosted by actress, comedian, and television host Whoopi Goldberg, the gala performance is headlined by multi-Grammy Award�-winning artist Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Leslie Odom, Jr. (currently playing Aaron Burr in the Broadway hit musical Hamilton), and features a talented, all-star cast including Andra Day, Ledisi, and Jussie Smollett, star of the FOX hit show, "Empire." Recent additions to the Spring Gala program also include BJ The Chicago Kid and singers Valerie Simpson and Mary Wilson, and will feature local talents, tap-dancing sensations The Manzari Brothers and The Mellow Tones, a student vocal ensemble from D.C.'s Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

From "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" to "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "What's Going On" to "Sexual Healing," Gaye's classic R&B voice produced a wide range of hits-from soul standards to his late-career thematic music that stood as social commentary about the state of the world (the album "What's Going On"). Upon his posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, his incomparable vocals were described by the Hall of Fame as "edged with grit yet tempered with sweetness." The co-chairs of the 2016 Spring Gala are Mr. Dale LeFebvre and Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. Ein.

In March, the Kennedy Center announced the establishment of a new award, the Kennedy Center Award for the Human Spirit, a national recognition to be presented annually to two individuals who have had an enduring impact on the advancement of the arts and culture. The awards are bestowed to commemorate the seminal contributions of both President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to the integration of arts in America. The inaugural recipients-philanthropist Wallis Annenberg (Distinguished Philanthropist Award) and Chicago-based conceptual artist Theaster Gates (Citizen Artist Award)-will be honored and presented their awards on stage at this year's Spring Gala. Artist and founder of Pioneer Works in Red Hook, Brooklyn, Dustin Yellin has been commissioned to create an original work of art that will serve as the physical award. The artist made a major exhibition of 12 Psychogeographies at the Kennedy Center in April of 2015, one of which is part of the Kennedy Center's permanent art collection and currently on display in the Center's Hall of States.

The Spring Gala's black-tie evening begins with a reception on the River Terrace at 5 p.m. followed by an elegant dinner on the Roof Terrace at 6 p.m. The Gala performance begins at 8 p.m. in the Concert Hall and the evening concludes with a private, special recognition reception for patrons supporting the Gala at the Platinum and Gold levels. As one of Washington's leading benefit engagements, the annual Kennedy Center Spring Gala provides critical funding to support the Center's performances, education programs, and outreach initiatives. To inquire about Spring Gala VIP packages, patrons may email [email protected] or call (202) 416-8338 for additional information.

Concert-only tickets for the 2016 Spring Gala "How Sweet It Is: A Tribute to Marvin Gaye" start at $45 and may be purchased at the Kennedy Center Box Office, online, or by calling Instant Charge at (202) 467-4600; patrons living outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan calling area may dial toll-free at (800) 444-1324.

The Kennedy Center Spring Gala Premier Sponsor is Boeing, whose contributions play a crucial leadership role in supporting the presentation of the Kennedy Center's artistic and educational programs throughout the year.

Whoopi Goldberg, Host

In 2002, Whoopi Goldberg became one of a very elite group of artists who have won the Grammy� ("Whoopi Goldberg," 1985), the Academy Award� ("Ghost," 1991), the Golden Globe� ("The Color Purple," 1985 and "Ghost," 1991), the Emmy� (as host of AMC's "Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel," 2002 and a Daytime Emmy� for "The View" in 2009), and a Tony� (Producer of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," 2002). She is equally well-known for her humanitarian efforts on behalf of children, the homeless, human rights, education, substance abuse, and the battle against AIDS, as well as many other causes and charities. Among her many charitable activities, Goldberg is a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations.

She has appeared in many films, including "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Sister Act," "Corrina, Corrina," "Boys on the Side," "Eddie," "The Associate," "How Stella Got Her Groove Back," "Girl, Interrupted," and "Rat Race." She has voiced characters in such animated features as "The Lion King," "Racing Stripes," "Doogal," and "Everyone's Hero." She was part of Tyler Perry's all-star film adaptation of "For Colored Girls...," a Lifetime Original Movie, "A Day Late and A Dollar Short," which she also executive produced, as well as Paramount/Nickelodeon Movies' "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," and the upcoming feature film "Big Stone Gap." On television, she has appeared on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," hosted her own syndicated late-night talk show, starred in the NBC sitcom "Whoopi," which she executive produced, as well as the television movies "It's A Very Muppet Christmas Movie" and Showtime's "Good Fences," which she co-produced with co-star Danny Glover.

Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds

Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds' award-winning, multi-faceted pop/urban career includes the consecutive multi-platinum landmark albums "Tender Love," "For the Cool in You" (including signature hits "Never Keeping Secrets" and "When Can I See You"), and "The Day" ("Every Time I Close My Eyes"). As co-founder with L.A. Reid of LaFace Records in 1989, Babyface nurtured the careers of such megastars as TLC, OutKast, Usher, and Toni Braxton. An 11-time Grammy Award� winner, Babyface most recently released "Return of the Tender Love" in December 2015, his first solo album in seven years. This latest project introduces a freer, less structured Babyface putting his stamp on a contemporary sound he describes as "unapologetic R&B." The lead single "We've Got Love" carries a vibrant global message about love. This album follows up the critical and commercial response to his and Toni Braxton's 2014 Grammy�-winning album "Love, Marriage & Divorce."

Paralleling those achievements is Babyface's extensive songwriting and production credits from the '90s forward. He has produced and written/co-written hits for everyone from Whitney Houston, Eric Clapton, and Michael Jackson to Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, P!nk, and Beyonc�, among countless others. That hit list boasts such smashes as Madonna's "Take a Bow," Clapton's "Change the World," and Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love to You." His most recent productions include collaborations with Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Ledisi, Colbie Caillat, Jennifer Hudson, and Ariana Grande. The prolific music man counts more than 150 top 10 R&B and 51 top 10 pop hits (including 16 No. 1's). In turn those stats have generated cumulative single and album sales of more than 500 million units worldwide.

He has won numerous awards and honors, including the Soul Train Music Awards, BMI Awards, NAACP Image Awards, American Music Awards, BET Walk of Fame Award, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013. Babyface is a passionate philanthropist active in supporting Carousel of Hope, which benefits the Children's Diabetes Foundation, and Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, and Larry Ruvo's "Keep Memory Alive." He has also lent his support to FasterCures, VH-1 Save the Music, United Negro College Fund, Boarder Babies, The Little Blue House (in Washington, D.C.), the David Foster Foundation, and the Mike Milken Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Leslie Odom, Jr.

Multifaceted performer Leslie Odom, Jr. can currently be seen on Broadway starring as Aaron Burr in the blockbuster hit musical "Hamilton." He is a Grammy Award� winner as a principal soloist on "Hamilton"'s Original Broadway Cast Recording, which won the 2015 award for Best Musical Theater Album. Odom, Jr. originated the role of Burr in a sold-out run at The Public Theater in 2015, earning a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical and a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical. He made his Broadway debut at the age of 17 in Rent before heading to Carnegie Mellon University's prestigious School of Drama, where he graduated with honors. He is the recipient of a 2002 Princess Grace Award for Acting, which is dedicated to identifying emerging talent in theater, dance, and film.

Additional theater credits include "Leap of Faith" on Broadway, for which he won the 2012

Astaire Award for Outstanding Male Dancer on Broadway and was nominated for a Drama League; the 2014 musical "Venice," which also played at The Public Theater; and the Encores! Off-Center production of "Tick, Tick...Boom!" which was his first time working with "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. On the small screen, Odom, Jr. is best-known for his portrayal of Sam Strickland in the NBC musical series "Smash," and his recurring role as Reverend Curtis Scott on "Law & Order: SVU." He's also appeared in episodes of "Gotham," "Persons of Interest," "Grey's Anatomy," "House of Lies," "Vanished," and "CSI: Miami." On the big screen, he starred in the 2012 film "Red Tails" opposite Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and David Oyelowo.