Russell Watson News

Today, July 4th, America's biggest Independence Day celebration kicks off our country's 236th birthday with a special salute to our Olympians and Paralympians as they prepare for the London games. Eight-time Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno will host the tribute to Team USA.

This July 4th, America's national Independence Day celebration kicks off our country's 236th birthday, as A CAPITOL FOURTH on PBS welcomes a brand new host, Emmy Award-winning television personality Tom Bergeron.

A devout theater fan knows no holiday, and thankfully, many of Broadway's most beloved shows and performers nationwide don't either. So what's a theater enthusiast to do on this Independence Day? Check out a sampling of this year's most exciting 4th of July offerings and click below to revisit some of your favorites saluting our nation in song!

A CAPITAL FOURTH will include a musical tribute to beloved American legend Gene Kelly, in celebration of his 100th birthday, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra performing a medley of Hollywood classics including SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and AN AMERICAN IN PARIS.

This July 4th, America's biggest Independence Day celebration kicks off our country's 236th birthday with a special salute to our Olympians and Paralympians as they prepare for the London games. Eight-time Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno will host the tribute to Team USA.

She's made it to the final four of AMERICAN IDOL and now talented young singing sensation, Jessica Sanchez, will grace the stage at the U.S. Capitol for PBS's NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT.

On the eve of Memorial Day, a star-studded line-up will grace the stage for one of PBS' highest-rated programs, the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT. The program is co-hosted for the seventh year by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (CRIMINAL MINDS) and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise (CSI:NEW YORK)

On the eve of Memorial Day, a star-studded line-up will grace the stage for one of PBS's highest-rated programs, the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT. The multi award-winning television event honors the service and sacrifice of all our men and women in uniform, their families at home and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

She's made it to the final four of AMERICAN IDOL and now talented young singing sensation, Jessica Sanchez, will grace the stage at the U.S. Capitol for PBS's NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT.

On the eve of Memorial Day, a star-studded line-up will grace the stage for one of PBS' highest-rated programs, the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT. The program is co-hosted for the seventh year by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (CRIMINAL MINDS) and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise (CSI:NEW YORK)

Barnes & Noble (The Grove at Farmers Market, 189 Grove Drive Suite K 30, Los Angeles, CA 90036) will welcome Tony-award winning singer and actress, Lea Salonga, for a performance and signing in celebration of her new CD, The Journey So Far. This live CD contains songs from musical theater, film, and the jazz and pop worlds.

RHINESTONE MONDAYS, a brand new romantic comedy written by Joe Graham and directed by Phil Wilmott, will open at the Mercury Theatre Colchester on 31 August, prior to a national tour.

Barnes & Noble (The Grove at Farmers Market, 189 Grove Drive Suite K 30, Los Angeles, CA 90036) will welcome Tony-award winning singer and actress, Lea Salonga, for a performance and signing in celebration of her new CD, The Journey So Far. This live CD contains songs from musical theater, film, and the jazz and pop worlds.

Just over a year since she debuted her critically acclaimed cabaret act at New York's Café Carlyle (and only weeks after her 2011 stint at the same venue), Lea Salonga's new live CD - The Journey So Far - is set for release by LML Music/Allegro Distribution on Tuesday, August 9, giving her fans the world over a chance to hear her crystalline voice on a new recording, which was executive produced by Nashville's own Chris Keaton.

Lea Salonga's new live CD - The Journey So Far - is set for release by LML Music/Allegro Distribution on August 9. Salonga, the Tony Award-winning Filipina singer and actress, is best known for originating the lead role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon (and for which she won the Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk Outer Critics and Theatre World Awards), will highlight the release of the CD with a worldwide tour throughout 2011-12.

Tony Award winner Ms. Salonga is currently in town for an exclusive three-week return engagement, featuring an all-new program entitled Lea Salonga: New York in June, at the Café Carlyle at The Carlyle running until June 25. Ms. Salonga's new live album, 'The Journey So Far' (Recorded live at the Café Carlyle last year) is available for pre-order on www.leasalonga.com and will be released by LML Music on August 9.

Philly's Broadway dreams will come true for the thirdconsecutive summer when The Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF) partners with The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts to present their Summer Performing Arts Intensive August 1 through Sunday, August 7, 2011. Acclaimed theatrical director and producer Richard Jay-Alexander and a roster of Broadway veterans will work with aspiring young performers from the Philadelphia area throughout the week in preparation for 'True Colors,' a one of a kind Broadway concert open to the public. The Broadway style concert event will take place at the Merriam Theater on Saturday, August 6th at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets are $71 - $18.00 and are available now online at www.kimmelcenter.org, by calling 215-893-1999 or visiting the Kimmel Center Box Office (260 Broad Street).

The Royal Albert Hall is located in South Kensington facing onto Hyde Park and close to Kensington Palace.

Philly's Broadway dreams will come true for the third consecutive summer when the Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF) partners with the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts to present their summer performing arts intensive August 1 through Sunday August 7. Acclaimed theatrical producer and director Richard Jay-Alexander and a roster of Broadway veterans will work with aspiring young performers from the Philadelphia area throughout the week in preparation for 'True Colors', a one of a kind Broadway concert open to the public. The one night only concert event will take place at the Merriam Theatre on Saturday August 6 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $71-$18 and are available now online at www.kimmelcenter.org, by calling 215-893-1999, or visiting the Kimmel Center box office.

Philly's Broadway dreams will come true for the third consecutive summer when the Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF) partners with the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts to present their summer performing arts intensive August 1 through Sunday August 7. Acclaimed theatrical producer and director Richard Jay-Alexander and a roster of Broadway veterans will work with aspiring young performers from the Philadelphia area throughout the week in preparation for 'True Colors', a one of a kind Broadway concert open to the public. The one night only concert event will take place at the Merriam Theatre on Saturday August 6 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $71-$18 and are available now online at www.kimmelcenter.org, by calling 215-893-1999, or visiting the Kimmel Center box office.