Birth Place: Seattle, WA
Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell has enjoyed a career that spans Broadway, television, film, and concert appearances with the country’s finest conductors and orchestras.
He received Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards for his star turn in Kiss Me, Kate. He also gave Tony-nominated performances in Man of La Mancha, August Wilson’s King Hedley II, and Ragtime. Other notable Broadway shows include Kiss of the Spider Woman, Jelly’s Last Jam, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and Shuffle Along. In 2016 he was awarded his second Tony Award, the prestigious Isabelle Stevenson Tony for his Charitable work with The Actors Fund. That same year Stokes was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.
An extremely versatile and in-demand singer, Stokes has performed at venues spanning jazz, opera, pops, country, and musical theater worlds. He has worked with John Williams, Marvin Hamlisch, Gustavo Dudamel, Keith Lockhart, Michael Tilson Thomas, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Big Band, The Mormon Tabernacle choir and the Muppets. Stokes has made multiple appearances at Carnegie Hall beginning with his debut with the San Francisco Symphony through his televised performance in South Pacific opposite Reba McEntire to his sold-out solo concert, which he continues to perform throughout the U.S. He has been invited twice to perform at the White House (both times aired on PBS’s “Great Performances”) and has performed multiple times for Presidents Clinton and Obama.
Stokes has delved deeply into various music disciplines. In addition to singing he began piano studies at the age of 6. A self-professed autodidact, his musical curiosity lead him to teach himself composing, arranging and orchestration, starting in his teens. He later studied, Film scoring, orchestration, and conducting both privately and through UCLA and subsequently scored and conducted a number of “Trapper John, MD” episodes, a series on which he was also a regular cast member. His musical talent has extended to the present day as producer, arranger and orchestrator on his three solo albums including his last recording, “Simply Broadway” and his upcoming recording “Plays With Music”, which is slated to be released this Fall. Stokes has appeared on more than 20 albums.
His extensive screen credits began with a guest starring role on “Roots:The next Generations”, followed by a 7-year stint on Trapper John, MD and have continued with memorable appearances on everything from PBS’ Great Performances to The Fresh Prince, Frasier, Glee, Jumping the Broom and his most recent recurring roles on Madam Secretary, Mr. Robot, The Path, Billions and The Good Fight. Other recent TV appearances include The Blacklist, Elementary, and Bull. As a voice-over artist he has played dozens of characters on animated TV episodes including performing “Through Heaven’s Eyes” in Dreamwork’s “The Prince of Egypt."
As a writer Stokes has contributed to the book Hirschfeld’s Harlem, wrote the preface to At This Theatre, and co-authored the children’s book Lights on Broadway.
For fun he has been known to fly planes and jump out of them (usually not at the same time), and he can ride a bicycle on a high wire.
Stokes has enjoyed working with numerous charitable organizations from the March of Dimes to the USO. He is on the board of Americans For the Arts and is serving his 14th term as Chairman of the Board of the Actors Fund.
From: Photos: Manhattan Theatre Club Celebrates Re-Opening with First Preview of LACKAWANNA BLUES
From: Photo Coverage: The SHUFFLE ALONG Cast Takes Opening Night Bows!
Brian Stokes Mitchell
Brian Stokes Mitchell
Brian Stokes MitchellMan of La Mancha
Brian Stokes Mitchell Sweeney Todd
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Man of La Mancha
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Man of La Mancha
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Man of La Mancha
Brian Stokes MitchellKing Hedley II
Brian Stokes Mitchell, King Hedley II
Brian Stokes Mitchell, King Hedley II
Brian Stokes Mitchell, King Hedley II
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kiss Me Kate
Brian Stokes Mitchell , Kiss Me, Kate
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ragtime
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ragtime
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ragtime
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ragtime
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Mail
Check out new photos and videos from the Entertainment Community Fund Gala!
Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) partners with CreateTheater.com to present the fourth virtual edition of theTRU Voices New Plays Reading Series, with the generous support of RK Greene and The StoryLine Project.
Join the Boston Conservatory at Berklee as they honor three-time Tony Award-winning actor and producer LaChanze and internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Lar Lubovitch at their commencement ceremony on May 11.
National Dance Institute (NDI) will return to the Ziegfeld Ballroom for its Annual Gala on Monday, April 15, 2024.
Last night at the Entertainment Community Fund, (formerly The Actors Fund) gala, they announced the $160 million ESSENTIAL Campaign: a bold and comprehensive effort that will combine all of the organization’s fundraising, allowing the Fund to serve more people in more places.
Entertainment Community Fund is launching the $160 million ESSENTIAL Campaign, combining all of the organization’s fundraising, allowing the Fund to serve more people in more places. Learn more!
Broadway Podcast Network is launching their new website and listening platform. Learn more!
54 Below recently welcomed six new members to their distinguished board of directors. We asked them a few questions to get to know them a bit better. Meet James Gunderson, Tom Hood, Howard Lee Morgan, Brian Kaltner, Lee H. Perlman and Susan L Raanan!
The Kit Kat Club is now open! Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, starring Academy Award and Tony Award winner Eddie Redmayne and introducing Gayle Rankin, begins previews tonight, April 1, at the August Wilson Theatre. Meet the cast of Cabaret here!
Virginia Arts Festival has cast one of Broadway’s leading lights in the role of a new, key position at the Festival: The Goode Family Artistic Advisor for Musical Theater and American Songbook.
Performances begin tonight, March 19, at the Longacre Theatre for Lempicka, the new musical celebrating the true story of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka. Meet the cast of Lempicka here!
Written as the Covid-19 pandemic unfolded, Breathe follows five pairs of characters grappling with the virus’s impact on their lives, families, relationships, society, and health. Ranging from lighthearted to heartbreaking, unbelievable and all-too-real, these vignettes tackle everything from parenting in Covid, to Black Lives Matter protests, to saying goodbye to a spouse via Zoom.
Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater have announced programming running March 11th - March 24th. Performers appearing at Birdland Jazz Club include Maria Schneider Orchestra, Emilio Solla & La Inestable de Brooklyn, Christian Sands Trio, and Canadian Jazz Collective.
The Muny has revealed the teams of directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2024 season. Learn about the shows this season and see how to purchase tickets!
Birdland has announced that singer/actress Linda Purl, joined with internationally, acclaimed DIVA Jazz Orchestra, returns to its historic stage on Monday April 1 at 7pm.
Roundabout Theatre Company celebrated its 2024 Gala, honoring Kenny Leon and The Rudin Family. Check out the photos here!
It's your lucky month as March is filled with a brand-new lineup of streaming content for Broadway fans! From the return of Girls5Eva and movie musicals like Wonka and Cabaret coming to streaming, this season also features new streaming projects with Carol Burnett, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ariana DeBose, Ariana Grande, and more.
The Theatre World Awards Board of Directors has announced two of the individuals to be honored at 78th Annual Theatre World Awards to be held on Monday evening, June 10, 2024 beginning at 7:00 p.m.
The concept album of the new immersive electro-swing musical Whisper Darkly is available in digial and streaming formats now.
Theater Resources Unlimited is partnering with CreateTheater to present the fourth virtual edition of theTRU Voices New Plays Reading Series. Learn more about the reading!
Brian Stokes Mitchell has appeared on Broadway in 10 shows.
Brian Stokes Mitchell has not appeared in the West End.
Brian Stokes Mitchell has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including the John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre at the Theatre World Awards, the Isabelle Stevenson Award at the Tony Awards, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Man of La Mancha," Outstanding Lead Actor in a Resident Musical at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Sweeney Todd," Outstanding Actor in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Man of La Mancha," Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Man of La Mancha," Outstanding Actor - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Man of La Mancha," Outstanding Lead Actor in a Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for "King Hedley II," Outstanding Actor - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "King Hedley II," Outstanding Actor in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "King Hedley II," Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "King Hedley II," Outstanding Actor in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Kiss Me Kate," Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Kiss Me, Kate," Outstanding Actor - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Ragtime," Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for "Ragtime," Best Actor - Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Ragtime," and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Ragtime." He also received a Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for "Mail."
Brian Stokes Mitchell has won several awards throughout his career, including the John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre from the Theatre World Awards, the Isabelle Stevenson Award from the Tony Awards, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Non-Resident Production for "Man of La Mancha" at the Helen Hayes Awards, Outstanding Actor - Musical for "Man of La Mancha" at the Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding Actor - Play for "King Hedley II" at the Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding Actor in a Musical for "Kiss Me Kate" at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for "Kiss Me, Kate" at the Tony Awards, Distinguished Performance Award from the Drama League Awards for "Ragtime," and a Performance award from the Theatre World Awards for "Mail."
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