Kyle McMahon talked with Cynthia Erivo, Trace Adkins and Joe Mantegna to ask what Memorial Day means to them for the latest episode of Pop Culture Weekly. Here's their answers.
Each year for Memorial Day, PBS airs a beautiful live concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol honoring the brave men and women who put their lives on the line so we may enjoy the freedoms that we exercise every day. Far too many lost their lives for that very same cause.
This year, like many of our celebrations, National Memorial Day Concert will look a bit different from the 30 years prior. There will not be 200,000 people gathered on the West Lawn to watch in person as we practice social distancing. There will not be a gorgeous multi tiered stage looking over Washington D.C. Also like many of our own celebrations, Capitol Concerts has made adjustments for the tribute to go on.
The 2020 special will be "virtual" with recorded performances from around the world beamed into our homes (or on the go on our mobile devices). This years lineup includes Grammy and Tony Winner and two time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, country superstar Trace Adkins, Hamilton's Christopher Jackson, Mary McCormack, Laurence Fishburne and more. For the 19th year, three time Emmy nominee Joe Mantegna hosts along with actor Gary Sinise in his 18th year.
I spoke with Erivo, Adkins and Mantegna as they prepare for the Sunday night broadcast and asked them what Memorial Day means to each of them. Each of them had distinct answers that reflect the beautiful individuality we have in this country, while also revolving around honoring the men and women who allow us to express that individuality. Watch What Memorial Day Means To Them above or on YouTube.
PBS National Memorial Day Concert 2020 airs live Sunday May 24 at 8pm EST and simultaneously on PBS YouTube & the National Memorial Day Facebook page. It will be available on demand following the broadcast.
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