‘A Capitol Fourth’ 2016 Lineup Revealed
(Photo: PBS)
With apologies to your hometown’s own Fourth of July festivities, there’s no better place to celebrate America’s birthday than the nation’s capital, where elaborate fireworks light up the sky above the National Mall and its surrounding monuments. Since spending July 4 in Washington D.C. can’t be on every citizen’s to-do list, allow PBS to bring the festivities to you courtesy of A Capitol Fourth.
Related: ‘A Capitol Fourth’: A Video Mixtape of 8 Great Performances
Entering its 36th year, this annual concert, which airs live on July 4 at 8 p.m., assembles a group of big-name musical acts on a stage overlooking the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, where they keep the audience singing and dancing until the fireworks begin at dusk. It’s a Fourth of July party that anyone with a television can attend, and returning host Tom Bergeron personally requests your presence. “It’s an amazing experience to see that sea of people and experience the fireworks and great performances,” he tells Yahoo TV. “It’s not only a great party — it’s great live television.”
(Photo courtesy of Capital Concerts)
Appropriately enough, this is Bergeron’s fourth time hosting PBS’s signature Fourth of July program, and he’s looking forward to welcoming some familiar faces to the West Lawn stage from his other job as host of Dancing With the Stars. This year’s lineup includes a pair of Dancing veterans, singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw, as well as Glee star, Amber Riley, before she jets off to London to headline a West End production of Dreamgirls. (Riley isn’t the only former member of New Directions to make the trip to D.C.; three years ago, Darren Criss wowed the crowd with a spirited rendition of “Shout.”) Speaking of musicals, the cast of the Gloria and Emilio Estefan-themed Broadway show, ON YOUR FEET!, will be on hand to perform some of the power duo’s biggest hits, while Tony winner (and star of TV Land’s Younger) Sutton Foster continues to escort the audience along the Great White Way.
(Photo: PBS)
The 2016 Capitol Fourth mixtape also includes Jackie Evancho performing her distinctive classical crossover style, Cassadee Pope’s country tunes and the soulful sounds of music legend, Smokey Robinson and his extensive back catalogue of hits. And we can only hope that Kenny Loggins will encourage the crowd to kick off their Sunday shoes and cut (foot)loose during his set. National Anthem duties will fall to recent champion of The Voice, Alisan Porter, while top conductor Jack Everly puts the prestigious National Symphony Orchestra through their paces while the fireworks are bursting overhead.
See Voice winner Alisan Porter talk about her journey on the singing competition:
“They always book a wonderful caliber of performers,” Bergeron says. “It’s a darned good lineup to see in 90 minutes, plus fireworks!” Just don’t expect a cameo from the capital’s best-known resident, President Obama, even if this is his final Fourth of July as commander-in-chief. “If he wants to drop by, I’ll certainly welcome him onstage,” remarks Bergeron, laughing. “And if he wants to take over hosting for a little bit, I’ll just hang backstage with Michelle.”
A Capitol Fourth airs July 4 at 8 p.m. on PBS.
