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ABC SPECIAL
Air Date: Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Time Slot: 10:00 PM-11:00 PM EST on ABC
Episode Title: "AN AMERICAN CELEBRATION AT FORD'S THEATRE: THE JULY 4th SPECIAL"
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

�AN AMERICAN CELEBRATION AT FORD�S THEATRE: THE JULY 4th SPECIAL� IS A STAR-SPANGLED TELECAST ON ABC

Tom Selleck hosts a dazzling array of stars who entertain the country�s leaders and celebrate the nation�s birthday in �An American Celebration at Ford�s Theatre: The July 4th Special,� airing TUESDAY, JULY 4 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. The program will be taped in Washington, DC on June 25, before a live audience that will include many Washington dignitaries. President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush have been invited to attend.

This year the annual gala benefiting the historic theatre features a lineup that includes (in alphabetical order): Host Tom Selleck, trumpeter Chris Botti, comedian and presidential impersonator Steve Bridges, Heather Headley (�Aida�), Country group Lonestar, comedian Kevin Nealon, Renee Olstead -- a 16-year-old singing sensation and actress -- and Country solo artist Josh Turner.

Mrs. Laura Bush serves as the honorary chair of the gala celebration, Catherine B. Reynolds serves as gala chair, and general chairs are Karyn Frist, Landra Reid, Abigail Blunt and Debbie Dingell. Senator Bill Frist, Senator Harry Reid, Congressman Roy Blunt and Congressman John Dingell join a distinguished audience of political and corporate leaders to share this special evening of entertainment in America�s most historic theatre.

This year marks the 26th televised gala at Ford�s Theatre since its reopening in 1968. For 103 years following President Lincoln�s assassination, this national treasure remained dark as a symbol of national mourning. On January 30, 1968, a restored Ford�s Theatre opened, dedicated as a memorial to Lincoln�s love of the performing arts. In 1975 President Ford became the first president to attend a gala at the Theatre since its closure in 1865.

Gil Cates is the executive producer of �An American Celebration at Ford�s Theatre: The July 4th Special.� Dennis Doty is producer and Louis J. Horvitz directs. Michael Seligman is associate producer. Ford�s Theatre�s producing director is Paul R. Tetreault. The special is produced by Cates/Doty Productions in association with ABC. (CLOSED-CAPTIONED) (Broadcast in stereo where available)

A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

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