WABC-TV, Channel 7, will broadcast the event live, hosted by weatherman Sam Champion. The festivities will include Tony Award winner Barbara Cook, who will perform a tune from her holiday CD "Count Your Blessings"; mezzo soprano Denyce Graves, who will perform holiday classics with the Metropolitan Opera Children's Chorus; an excerpt from New York City Ballet's production of The Nutcracker; gospel vocalist Joshua Nelson, who will perform with The Klezmatics; and the aerial feats of Big Apple Circus artist Sergey Akimov. Mickey Mouse will help light America's most musical tree at 5:59 PM. This year's tree is a 48-foot Blue Spruce.
Josie Robertson Plaza is located by Lincoln Center's plaza fountain at Columbus Avenue and 64th Street. For more information about the free event, which is open to the public, call (212) 875-5436 or visit www.lincolncenter.org.