It's "A Capitol Fourth" July 4 on PBS

By Andrew Gans
July 4, 2009

Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Jimmy Smits, who made his Broadway debut in Anna in the Tropics, hosts the 29th annual broadcast of the PBS special "A Capitol Fourth" July 4.

The fireworks extravaganza — filmed live at the U.S. Capitol — will air on PBS stations around the country from 8-9:30 PM ET; check local listings.

The 90-minute special boasts performances by cast members from various U.S. companies of the Tony-winning musical Jersey Boys as well as Barry Manilow, Aretha Franklin, Natasha Bedingfield, Michael Feinstein, classical pianist Andrew von Oeyen, the Muppets and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Erich Kunzel.

The concert will be broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and will conclude with a fireworks spectacular.

The annual event can also be heard live over NPR Member stations nationwide and is broadcast to U.S. military personnel in more than 175 countries and U.S. Navy ships at sea by the American Forces Radio and Television Network.

For more information visit www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/concert.html.