Premieres Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at 8 p.m. + Encore at 9:30 p.m. on KPBS TV / PBS App + Steam live on YouTube
This July 4th, "A Capitol Fourth" welcomes iconic actor and television host Alfonso Ribeiro to lead the 43rd annual edition of America’s national Independence Day celebration on PBS. Broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The top-rated, award-winning program puts viewers front and center for America’s biggest birthday party with the greatest display of fireworks in the U.S.A. lighting up our nation’s iconic skyline captured by twenty cameras positioned around the city.
Watch the livestream on July 4th:
“Hosting this year's A CAPITOL FOURTH is truly an honor,” said Ribeiro. “The 4th of July is America's birthday and it means a lot to me to be able to celebrate along with my family at our nation's Capitol! So many great performers have appeared over the show's 43 years. I’m honored and excited that I get to carry on the tradition this year as your host."
Ribeiro will lead an all-star cast in a patriotic extravaganza of all-live musical performances by top stars from pop, country, R&B, classical and Broadway featuring the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of premier pops conductor Jack Everly.
Ruthie Ann Miles, Tony Award-winning Broadway star of "The King And" I and currently starring in her Tony nominated performance in the hit Broadway revival of "Sweeney Todd," will perform the national anthem at "A Capitol Fourth."
A CAPITOL FOURTH will also feature:
- Chicago – multi-Grammy Award-winning legendary rock and roll band;
- Boyz II Men – Grammy Award-winning and best-selling R&B group of all time;
- Belinda Carlisle – Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and co-founder/lead vocalist of the Go-Go’s
- Babyface – 12-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist, songwriter and producer
- Maddie & Tae – multi-platinum country duo and CMT Award-winner
- Charles Esten – artist-songwriter and star of global hit series OUTER BANKS and NASHVILLE
- The Broadway cast of "A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical" featuring Will Swenson and Robyn Hurder
- The National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.
The evening will also include:
- Fun for kids of all ages with Elmo and Cookie Monster from SESAME STREET and host Alfonso Ribeiro to celebrate America’s birthday.
- A special tribute to our men and women in uniform and their families with a musical performance dedicated to their service and sacrifice by world-renowned five-time Grammy Award-winning soprano superstar Renée Fleming.
- From the International Space Station orbiting Earth, NASA astronauts Frank Rubio, Steve Bowen and Woody Hoburg will share a special Independence Day message with the nation.
- Acclaimed actress and singer Adrienne Warren, who received a Tony Award for her portrayal of Tina Turner in the Broadway musical “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” will pay tribute to the legendary Queen of Rock n’ Roll.
- Capping off the festivities will be a patriotic musical medley featuring The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” during the spectacular fireworks display, an annual audience favorite. The musical finale will be accompanied by live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, an "A Capitol Fourth" tradition.
Watch On Your Schedule:
"A Capitol Fourth" airs on KPBS Tuesday, July 4, 2023 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. (with an encore at 9:30 p.m.), as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. The program can also be heard in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide and will be streaming at www.pbs.org/acapitol-fourth and YouTube and available to stream on demand for a limited time only, July 4 to July 18, 2023.
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Visit www.kpbs.org/fourthofjuly to view a full listing of local San Diego Fourth of July events and fireworks!
