The broadcast of A Capitol Fourth on your local PBS station has become as much a staple of the Fourth of July as pyrotechnics and a hangover on the fifth. The yearly ritual is conducted on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol Building, complete with a fireworks display in the background.
Backed by the National Symphony Orchestra, the show gives off a far more celebratory air than the National Memorial Day concert, which is a surefire tearjerker. While some military presence is usually a part of the show, the programming is usually more on the razzle- dazzle side.
This year featured Barry Manilow, Aretha Franklin, and the highly crush-worthy cast of Jersey Boys (while most members of the audience might not have heard of the show, they perked right up when it was announced that it chronicled the career of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Dancing promptly began as “Oh What a Night” swung into action.)
One of the program’s best aspects—other than its built in home field advantage—is that it very much takes the current temperature of history and popular culture into account. The 2008 edition of the concert featured a performance of John Williams’ “Olympic Fanfare” and a mini-parade of some lesser-known athletes. This year, the focus was on the fortieth anniversary of Sesame Street (it’s also the fortieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, but perhaps there’s only room for one tribute a Fourth.)
This year’s edition also included a few words of appreciation for National Symphony Orchestra maestro Erich Kunzel, who is also the conductor of the Cincinnati Pops. Kunzel was recently diagnosed with three different kinds of cancer (pancreas, liver, colon) and performed the entire concert, although he sat for brief moments. He led the show with his usual pep, however, and next year’s show wouldn’t be the same without its most reliable sparkler.
