NBC, PBS get spectacular for the Fourth
NBC and PBS will give the nation’s birthday the usual flourishes Wednesday.
“A Capitol Fourth” on PBS and “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” onNBC have become TV traditions.
TheNBC special will feature Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton of “The Voice.” To celebrate the 100th anniversary of “God Bless America,” Clarkson will perform the classic with theWest Point Band and Glee Club. Irving Berlin wrote the patriotic anthem during WorldWar I.
TheMacy’s talent lineup also includesKeithUrban and Ricky Martin. The hosts, for the second year, will beMatt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila of “American NinjaWarrior.”
The program will air live from 8-10 p.m. Wednesday with a onehour repeat at 10 p.m. TheMacy’s 4th of July fireworks display over the East River will feature more than 75,000 shells— Macy’s largest fireworks display since the Millennial Celebration in 2000.
“A Capitol Fourth” inWashington will be hosted by John Stamos at 8 p.m. Wednesday with a repeat at 9:30 p.m. The performers include Jimmy Buffett, the Beach Boys, the Temptations, CeCe Winans, Andy Grammer, Pentatonix, Luke Combs, “American Idol” finalist Lauren Alaina and “Voice” finalistKyla Jade.
Broadway legend Chita Rivera takes part in a celebration of Leonard Bernstein, who wrote the music for“West Side Story.” Rivera, who played Anita in the original Broadway production in 1957, will introduce a performance of “Tonight” by violinist Joshua Bell and theNational Symphony Orchestra.
Opera great Renée Fleming will perform “You’llNeverWalk Alone” from“Carousel” to honor service men andwomen. She is starring in the glorious Broadway revival of the Rodgers andHammerstein musical.
Jack Everly will conduct the National Symphony Orchestra fromtheWest Lawn of theU.S. Capitol. Buffett will perform with the Broadway cast of “Escape to Margaritaville.” The Beach Boys will receive A Capitol Fourth’s National ArtisticAchievement Award.
This year will be the 38th annual broadcast of “A Capitol Fourth,” which concludes with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and live cannon fire.
Happy 242nd, America. hboedeker@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5756