I have been lucky enough to see Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell perform several times, including an amazing concert with the Utah Symphony and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, so I was thrilled when I found out that he would be performing with the Utah Symphony again and I bought a ticket almost immediately! The concert last night was in honor of Kem Gardner, a long time USUO board member, and it was wonderful! He began with a lively rendition of "There's No Business Like Show Business" from Annie Get Your Gun and then performed an eclectic program featuring Broadway hits and standards from the great American songbook with lots of stories and anecdotes in between (he is so charming and engaging). I especially enjoyed "Man of La Mancha" from Man of La Mancha (he was nominated for a Tony award for his performance as Don Quixote) and a very sultry version of "Feeling Good." Many years ago, during a Bravo Broadway concert with the Utah Symphony, he performed one of the most beautiful versions of "Stars" from Les Miserables that I have ever heard and I have always wanted to hear him sing it again. I got my wish last night and it was definitely the highlight of the concert for me! He ended the set with "Wheels of a Dream" from Ragtime (he originated the role of Coalhouse Walker, Jr. and was nominated for a Tony) which was incredibly powerful. For the encore he sang "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha, which is the song he sang out of his apartment window in New York for essential workers during the pandemic, and then a heartfelt version of "Wonderful World." I loved this concert and I love the fact that so many Broadway stars enjoy performing with the Utah Symphony!
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