Broadway star Mitchell coming to town

Alert: Brian Stokes Mitchell is coming to town and you can meet him!

It's important to get that information right up front for the fans — some who know him from his Broadway work, and many who know him from his Christmas concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

On Monday, Nov. 30, and Tuesday, Dec. 1, Mitchell will be visiting Deseret Book stores to sign copies of the CD/DVD "Ring Christmas Bells."

Broadway's leading man joined the choir, 110 musicians, 108 bell ringers and the 11,623 pipes from the magnificent Tabernacle pipe organ for the annual Christmas concert last year.

"Stokes is the prefect combination you look for in a guest artist," said Scott Barrick, general manager of the choir. "He is an amazing talent, he is a wonderful human being, so easy to work with and so cooperative."

Barrick also noted that Mitchell went out of his way to help with the editing of this CD — even taking work home with him. "He is a true friend of the choir."

Mitchell sang with the choir in September 2008 as part of the Tanner Gift of Music concert. "Everyone loved him, and before he left, choir members were begging us to have him come back," Barrick said.

"We like to keep our Christmas guests a surprise, so we told them that he was already busy at Christmas. We just didn't tell them it was with us!"

The choir's ability to attract world-class talent has ensured a memorable Christmas program that, last year, was seen by more than 80,000 people in-person, with many more watching on TV.

Mitchell's dashing good looks and warm, soaring baritone keeps him busy performing with the country's finest symphonies, as well as in intimate cabaret settings.

He won the Tony Award, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award for his work in "Kiss Me Kate" (he's on the Broadway revival soundtrack), and he garnered Tony nominations for "Man of La Mancha," "Ragtime" among others.

"He loves the choir," Barrick said. "He loved its artistry and the amazing spirit that he felt singing with them."

The CDs and DVDs are available now in books stores and online, www.deseretbook.com. The CDs are $18.98 and DVDs $19.98.

"The DVD of this show is the best one we have ever done, both artistically and visually," Barrick said. "People will be able to share in the magic of the experience."

And in the magic of meeting Brian Stokes Mitchell!

If you go…

MONDAY, Nov. 30

When: Noon

Where: Downtown Deseret Book (20 E. South Temple)

When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Best Buy (5181 S. State, Murray)

TUESDAY, Dec. 1

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Layton Deseret Book (Layton Hills Mall, first floor near Macy's)

When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: University Village Deseret Book (1076 S. 750 East, Orem)

e-mail: ehansen@desnews.com