Program features President Obama and the First Lady,
General Colin Powell, Ty Burrell, Kelly Clarkson, Dick Van Dyke and the Vantastix, Renée Fleming, George Lopez, Lionel Richie, Robin Roberts, Stars of Broadway’s Mary Poppins and Memphis, and The Soldiers' Chorus of the United States Army Field Band

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have front row seats for America Celebrates July 4th at Fords Theatre, one of summer’s most patriotic parties commemorating Independence Day. The event was taped June 6, 2010 at the Ford’s Theatre Society annual gala in Washington, D.C. and airs on the ABC Television Network, Saturday, July 2 (9:00 p.m. EDT). President Barack Obama makes his customary remarks at Ford’s Theatre.

Tony-nominated Montego Glover (Broadway’s Memphis) joins the star-spangled special with her knockout solo, Colored Woman, and General Colin Powell honors five distinguished veterans who have received the Medal of Honor:
Walter D. Ehlers, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, WWII
Hiroshi Miyamura, Corporal, U.S. Army, Korea
Alfred V. Rascon, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Vietnam
Richard A. Pittman, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam
Michael Thornton, Petty Officer, U.S. Navy, Vietnam

Previously announced appearances include host Ty Burrell (ABC’s Modern Family); Robin Roberts; The Soldiers' Chorus of the United States Army Field Band; Kelly Clarkson performing Everybody Got Their Something; Dick Van Dyke and the Vantastix performing an a cappella medley of beloved tunes from his films (and a surprise rap number!); Renée Fleming singing the Deathcab for Cutie song, Soul Meets Body; Laura Michelle Kelly, Gavin Lee and the ensemble from the Broadway company of Mary Poppins singing Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious; George Lopez performing a comedic monologue; and Lionel Richie performing All Night Long.

Gil Cates is the executive producer of America Celebrates July 4th at Ford’s Theatre. Dennis Doty is producer and Paul Miller directs. Michael Seligman is associate producer and Danette Herman is talent producer. Bill Conti is musical director. The Producing Director of the show and the Director of Ford’s Theatre Society is Paul R. Tetreault. America Celebrates July 4th at Ford’s Theatre is produced by Cates/Doty Productions in association with ABC.

America Celebrates July 4th at Ford’s Theatre has a TV-PG rating. CLOSED-CAPTIONED; broadcast in stereo where available.

Photography and video of the program is available at www.abcmedianet.com. Photography request line (818) 460-6611.

Remarks by the President at Ford’s Theatre available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-fords-theatre