‘A Capitol Fourth’ to feature Muppets, Manilow and more

Washington Post

Cookie Monster is planning to bake 233 cookies for America’s birthday celebration Saturday — one for each year.

“And me going to eat them all!” he said as he talked about preparations for “A Capitol Fourth,” the annual concert on the Mall in Washington that will be broadcast live Saturday on PBS.

“Me already blue, so got that covered,” the ageless monster said. “Just need red and white.”

Cookie, one of the original characters on “Sesame Street” since it first aired on PBS nearly 40 years ago, is puppeteered by David Rudman. They will be joined for the Fourth of July celebration by Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, Elmo, Oscar the Grouch and Rosita — “all sorts of Muppets and monsters,” Cookie said.

Representing human performers will be singer-songwriter Barry Manilow, who will open and close the concert and will present a medley of hits and patriotic tunes. Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, singer Natasha Bedingfield, members of the cast of the musical “Jersey Boys,” singer-pianist Michael Feinstein and classical pianist Andrew von Oeyen also will perform.

“A Capitol Fourth” airs Saturday at 8 p.m. on PBS.