Jesse Tyler Ferguson is a star in his own right but even he is wowed by the wattage on tap for the upcoming benefit for New York City's fabled Public Theater.
Meryl Streep, Antonio Banderas, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Alicia Keys, Daniel Craig, Danielle Brooks, Glenn Close, Elvis Costello, Claire Danes, Danai Gurira, Anne Hathaway, John Leguizamo, Audra McDonald, Sandra Oh, David Hyde Pierce and Sting are just some of stars expected to participate in the June 1 virtual event, called "We Are One Public."
"It is a pretty impressive list," said Ferguson, who will be the host. "Some are friends, but I also have to prepare that I'm going to have a conversation with Sting — which is really mind-blowing."
Other participants include Laura Benanti, Todd Almond, Troy Anthony Burton, Michael Cerveris, Carla Duren, Danaya Esperanza, Jane Fonda, Nanya-Akuki Goodrich, David Henry Hwang, Brian d'Arcy James, John Lithgow, Phillipa Soo, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Nikki M. James, Margaret Odette, Kelli O'Hara, Suzan-Lori Parks, Phylicia Rashad, Jay O. Sanders, Liev Schreiber and Martin Sheen.
The event will be livestreamed on the Public's website, YouTube channel and Facebook page.
The guest list will come as a surprise to Sam Waterston. Although the former "Law & Order" star is being honored for his long-standing support and partnership of the Public, he knows no details about the event. He said of the pandemic closures, "It's not the end of the story. … We have to hang on to our hope."
Fallon apologizes for blackface on 'SNL'
NBC "Tonight" show host Jimmy Fallon apologized for doing an impersonation of comic Chris Rock while in blackface during a 2000 episode of "Saturday Night Live." Discussion of the skit surfaced after a video of it was posted online. "I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable," the late-night star wrote.
A brighter side: Acclaimed novelist Haruki Murakami, hosting a radio show from home, painted a brighter side of the world with his favorite music, and said the fight against the coronavirus is a challenge in figuring out ways to help and care for each other. The 71-year-old, known for bestsellers such as "Wind-up Bird Chronicle," and "Norwegian Wood," said he hoped the show would "blow away some of the corona-related blues." He opened the two-hour show with "Look for the Silver Lining" by the Modern Folk Quartet, followed by 18 other songs. Their common thread: smiles, sunshine, rainbows, birthday memories and other happy sides of life. Murakami began writing while running a jazz bar in Tokyo.
