Gary Sinise, Joe Mantegna reteam for National Memorial Day Concert on PBS
"I wouldn't miss it for anything" became "almost anything" last year for Gary Sinise regarding the National Memorial Day Concert.
The Emmy winner, who grew up in Glen Ellyn and Highland Park, had a good reason - the birth of a granddaughter - but even then, he was on the special via a prerecorded segment. Now, he rejoins his Tony-winning friend and fellow Chicago theater veteran Joe Mantegna to host PBS' broadcast of the event's 29th annual edition at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 27, from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Sinise has an extra role: For the first time since he initially appeared on the program, he'll perform on it with his Lt. Dan Band, named after his "Forrest Gump" movie character.
"My first (National Memorial Day) Concert was in 2005," Sinise recalls, when the band "had just returned from an overseas tour. We were in Germany and Belgium and the U.K., then we came straight to Washington. This was early in the band's history, and Joe had invited me."
Mantegna is happy about Sinise's return for their 12th time as co-hosts, though he appreciates Laurence Fishburne stepping in for the 2017 show. "It was my idea to honor the Tuskegee Airmen last year," Mantegna says, "and when I knew we were going to do that, I said, 'Let me try to get Laurence.' He had done a movie about the Airmen, so I knew he would have a strong connection to that. That worked out really well, but of course, I'm thrilled to have Gary back."
As for other performers: Recent Oscar winner and Emmy-honored "Mom" star Allison Janney reunites with former "The West Wing" colleague Mary McCormack to honor the 70th anniversary of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act; John Corbett ("Sex and the City") and Brian Tee ("Chicago Med") tell the story of two friends in the Korean War; and Graham Greene ("Dances With Wolves") marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War's Battle of Khe Sanh.
Also observing the 150th anniversary of Memorial Day itself, the 90-minute special - repeated immediately afterward by most PBS stations - will include music by Charles Esten ("Nashville"), Cynthia Erivo (Broadway's "The Color Purple"), Leona Lewis, Megan Hilty ("Smash") and Alfie Boe. Gen. Colin Powell will make his traditional remarks, and Jack Everly again will conduct the National Symphony Orchestra.
Sinise and "Criminal Minds" star Mantegna are very visible supporters of the U.S. military year-round, and while he's always pleased to participate in the National Memorial Day Concert, Sinise now has another consideration. "Oh, my gosh, she's a sweet little thing," he beams about his new grandchild. "She'll be a year old this month, but I'll miss the birthday because I'll be back at the concert."