Two-time Tony winner to headline BYU-Idaho Christmas concert
Published at
The following is a news release from Brigham Young University-Idaho.
REXBURG — Two-time Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell will be featured at the eighth annual “A BYU-Idaho Christmas” concert on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the BYU-Idaho Center in Rexburg.
In 2011, the Broadway singer and actor was the first guest performer of “A BYU-Idaho Christmas” in the new auditorium following its opening earlier that year. He has enjoyed a career that spans theater, television, film and concert appearances with the country’s finest conductors and orchestras.
“This is our most popular performance of the year,” said Don Sparhawk, coordinator of the Center Stage Performing Arts Series. “Since Brian Stokes Mitchell first performed eight years ago, this annual concert has grown into a holiday tradition. Last year it attracted more than 12,000 people — that’s quite an audience for a show in eastern Idaho.”
The holiday performance will also feature the BYU-Idaho Symphony Orchestra, the Men’s and Women’s Choir, Concert Choir, Vocal Union, and dancers from the College of Performing and Visual Arts.
Dubbed “the last leading man” by the New York Times, Mitchell received Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for his star turn in “Kiss Me, Kate.” He also has Tony-nominated performances in “Man of La Mancha,” “King Hedley II” and “Ragtime.”
In 2016 he received his second Tony Award for his work as chairman of the board of the Actor’s Fund, a charity that helps anyone who has made a living in show business and the performing arts in times of need, crisis or transition. That year he was also inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.
An extremely versatile singer, he has performed at venues spanning jazz, opera, pops, country and the musical theater world.
His extensive screen credits began with a seven-year stint on “Trapper John, MD” and have continued with memorable appearances on everything from PBS’ “Great Performances” to “Frasier,” “Glee,” “Jumping the Broom” and his most recent roles on “Mr. Robot,” “Madam Secretary,” “The Path” and “The Blacklist.”
Tickets for the concert are $12 for the general public and $6 for BYU-Idaho students. A Christmas buffet will be held at 6 p.m. in the Manwaring Center Grand Ballroom for an extra $20. Tickets are available online at byui.edu/tickets or on school days from the BYU-Idaho Ticket Office at (208) 496-3170.