Tonight will be a great night for a celebration of American music. Gary Sinise will be joining Joe Mantegna to host PBS’ broadcast of National Memorial Day Concert, the event’s 29th annual edition at airs tonight at 7 p.m. and takes place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Who’s performing?
Well, for one… Gary Sinise! He’ll be doubling will be doubling as both a host and a member of the performance with a scheduled set with his Lt. Dan Band.
Oscar winner and Emmy-honored “Mom” star Allison Janney will reunite with former “The West Wing” colleague Mary McCormack to honor the 70th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. John Corbett (“Sex and the City”) and Brian Tee (“Chicago Med”) tell the story of two friends in the Korean War, and Graham Greene (“Dances With Wolves”) marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War’s Battle of Khe Sanh.
What else will we see?
Also observing the 150th anniversary of Memorial Day itself, the 90-minute special — repeated immediately afterward by most PBS stations — will include music by Charles Esten (“Nashville”), Cynthia Erivo (Broadway’s “The Color Purple”), Leona Lewis, Megan Hilty (“Smash”) and Alfie Boe. Gen. Colin Powell will make his traditional remarks, and Jack Everly again will conduct the National Symphony Orchestra.
When does the concert take place?
7pm CST Sunday, May 27. Check PBS.org for your local listings.