Muppets help cook up celebration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cookie Monster is planning to bake 233 cookies for America's birthday celebration on 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.

The National Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Erich Kunzel, will be on hand throughout the 90-minute broadcast, topping off the show with Tchaikovsky's “1812 Overture” for the 20-minute fireworks finale.

The Choral Arts Society of Washington also will join the celebration on the West Lawn of the Capitol, as will several military bands, including the 50-year old Army Herald Trumpets, and other service members.

The musical lineup is a tapestry and “indicative of the history of our country,” said actor Jimmy Smits, who will host the concert for the second consecutive year. “I think it really puts out a visual of the historical significance of the day to our country — all of the hard-fought battles for the freedoms and luxuries we enjoy on a daily basis.”

A downside can be the weather, and rain can make the stage very slippery, Smits said, so he's put in a request for good conditions this year.

If it's hot, Cookie Monster said, “me got to put in request for giant fan. Might look nice with fan blowing on blue fur — a dramatic image!”

Cookie is looking forward to the fireworks in their vibrant colors set against the silhouettes of the national landmarks, he said.

“Wow. It's pretty amazing that a humble cookie-loving monster could be performing” at the July Fourth concert, he said in his gravelly voice. “I can't believe that me going to be there. It's a great country. If that can happen, anything can happen!”

Besides airing on PBS, the concert is broadcast to troops around the world through the American Forces Radio and Television Network and also can be heard live on National Public Radio stations nationwide.