Bradley Whitford to host PBS' 'Capitol Fourth' holiday concert in D.C.

WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- Actor Bradley Whitford is to host the 35th edition of the Capitol Fourth holiday entertainment program in Washington on July 4, PBS announced.

"Whitford will lead an all-star cast in a patriotic evening of unrivaled musical performances, topped off by the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation," a news release said.

Among the artists scheduled to take the stage are Barry Manilow, Alabama, Nicole Scherzinger, Hunter Hayes, Meghan Linsey, KC and the Sunshine Band, Lang Lang, Ronan Tynan and Jack Everly. In celebration of American icon Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday, the award-winning star of film, television and the concert stage -- Robert Davi -- will pay tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes.

"It is a thrill and an honor to be hosting this year's Capitol Fourth celebration," Whitford said in a statement. "I invite you all to join us live from the Capitol on the Fourth of July for a concert and fireworks display you'll never forget. It's gonna be a blast!"

"On the Fourth of July, we bring the country together to celebrate the birth of our great nation with music, fun and fireworks. We welcome Bradley Whitford to host this amazing participatory experience where the joy is contagious and we remember that we are all Americans," added executive producer Jerry Colbert of Capital Concerts.

Whitford is perhaps best known for his role as Josh Lyman in Aaron Sorkin's White House-themed drama series The West Wing. He has appeared in many films, such as the recent Saving Mr. Banks, and in television shows such as Happyish and Transparent.