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Michael O. Mitchell

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BIO

Michael Mitchell is an award winning pianist, music director, composer, arranger and orchestrator who is an endorsed Yamaha Artist.



Michael is the Music Director for"Amateur Night at the Apollo" at the world famous Apollo Theater in the historic Harlem, NY. Most recently Michael, along with his wife, Annastasia Victory were commissioned to be the arrangers, orchestrators, and music directors for a ground breaking new musical - "A Wonderful Word: The Life and Music of Louis Armstrong." The world premiere will be presented by Miami New Drama at the Colony Theater Fall 2021.

Michael has made his mark in the Broadway world as an associate conductor on the smash hit show Motown: The Musical. He is the Associate Conductor for the highly anticipated Broadway show MJ: The Musical - a behind the scenes look at Michael Jackson's 1992 Dangerous Tour.

Some of his other broadway credits include: The Color Purple, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Memphis, Baby It’s You. Michael was a part of the music team for NBC’s award winning production of The Wiz Live!

Michael completed 4 years as conductor/music director for the North American Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, starring Ted Neeley, from the motion picture Jesus Christ Superstar. He was also the conductor/music director for Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel (Alliance Theater); where he was awarded the Suzi Bass Award for ‘Best Musical Director’. As the Music Director for The Best of Both Worlds (American Repertory Theater) and Dreamgirls (Dallas Theater Center), he received rave reviews for his music direction as well as pianistic abilities.

Michael arranged and recorded “Un Peu Plus Haut, Un Peu Plus Loin” ("A Little Higher, A Little Further") for the 2010 Winter Olympics (Vancouver, Canada) - performed at the Opening Ceremony by international artist: Garou. Michael was commissioned to arrange and orchestrate "The Closer I Get To You/Where Is The Love” - premiered by the Houston Pops Orchestra. Michael arrangements and orchestrations have been performed by: The Boston Pops, Philly Pops, San Diego Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, and many others.

Michael has performed with great artists like: Lisa Fischer, Rickey Minor, India Arie, Billy Porter, Ledisi, Michael J. Fox, Jennifer Holiday, Christian McBride, Hinton Battle, Jazmin Sullivan, Joan Osborne, Bob Mintzer (of the Yellowjackets), Joshua Henry, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Mario Cantone, Dr. Lillias White, Johnny Gill, and many more.; He can be heard performing on some of New York’s iconic stages: Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Feinstein’s/54 Below, Joe’s Pub, and The Cutting Room.

As a percussionist, Michael performed with The American Musical Ambassador Concert Band (European tour) and the John Philip Sousa Concert Band (Washington, DC).

Michael has composed, arranged, performed and/or produced several albums nationally and internationally including: Tony Bennett Celebrates 90 (w/ Leslie Odom, Jr.); The Last Word (w/ the legendary O'Jays - S Curve records); Playing Chess (singer Elise LeGrow); Simply Christmas [Deluxe Edition] (Leslie Odom, Jr. - S Curve Records); Great Joy II: Around the World (Broadway Inspirations Voices); Invincible (guitarist Felton Offard); Lectionary Psalms: The Revised Grail Psalms (GIA Publications); Evolution (Yewende - Lotus Records); Smashing Musical Barriers (3 Mo’ Divas), and more.

Michael recieved his degree in Music Business from DePauw University, He is a member of SAG/AFTRA and Local 802 Musicians Union. He continues to perform internationally and nationally and has a new music coming in 2021.

News


Review: REBEL WITH A CAUSE Is a Triumphant Tribute to Nina Simone at 92NY

The legacy of iconic Nina Simone is in good hands with the admiring Amber Iman (Lempicka). The captivating star takes on more of the repertoire with impressive skills and love.
ALEX NEWELL AND THE GOSPEL OF A DIVA Comes to Audible's Minetta Lane Theatre in June

Alex Newell and the Gospel of a Diva is headed to Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre for three performances only – Thursday, June 27 – Saturday, June 29.
Review: A WONDERFUL WORLD Presented by Broadway In Chicago

World premiere musical A WONDERFUL WORLD has a wonderful lead in James Monrie Iglehart as Louis Armstrong. Iglehart embodies the acclaimed vocalist and trumpeter completely; he nails Armstrong’s signature raspy voice and vocals and larger-than-life presence, but he’s also a master at embodying the role’s emotions. He’s a joy to watch in every moment he’s onstage, even as Aurin Squire’s book charts both Armstrong’s successes and his more human mistakes. In terms of framework, A WONDERFUL WORLD surprisingly reminded me of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s SIX. The musical starts and ends with Armstrong’s four wives: Daisy Parker (Khalifa White), Lil Hardin (Jennie Harney Fleming), Alpha Smith (Brennyn Lark), and Lucille Wilson (Ta’rea Campbell). Each of the musical’s four parts is centered around one of Armstrong’s wives. While the musical piqued my interest in Armstrong’s biography as a whole, I think this framework meant the timeline on his route to fame was incredibly condensed. And the musical certainly conveys that Armstrong was quite the philanderer; Squire’s book and Christopher Renshaw’s direction and conception don’t shy away at all from the fact that Armstrong cheated on each of his past wives with the next one.
Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of A WONDERFUL WORLD in New Orleans

A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong recently played at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. See photos from opening night below!
Interview: James Monroe Iglehart On Pre-Broadway A WONDERFUL WORLD

BroadwayWorld sat down with star James Monroe Iglehart while the production played its first pre-Broadway engagement in New Orleans to chat about bringing Louis' story to life, the care that goes into telling stories through musicals, and if he can play a certain instrument.
Video: A WONDERFUL WORLD Cast 'Performs St. James Infirmary'

Watch cast members of A Wonderful World St. James Infirmary in rehearsal!
Video: Watch James Monroe Iglehart Sing as Louis Armstrong in Rehearsals for A WONDERFUL WORLD

Watch Watch James Monroe Iglehart sing What A Wonderful World in rehearsals for the new musical A Wonderful World!
Photos: A WONDERFUL WORLD Begins Rehearsals For Pre-Broadway Engagement

The 26-member cast of A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong began rehearsals last week in New York City. Check out photos from rehearsal here!
Full Cast Revealed For A WONDERFUL WORLD Musical; Vanessa Williams Joins Producing Team

Full casting has been announced for A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong, which was previously announced to star James Monroe Iglehart.  The production also welcomes multiple Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award nominee Vanessa Williams to the lead producing team.  Find out more about the show, and the cast, here!
Review: WHAT'S GOING ON?: SONGS OF CHANGE Hits All the Right Notes at 92nd St. Y

A dynamic concert graced the stage of 92NY this past weekend.
Lyrics & Lyricists Presents WHAT'S GOING ON: SONGS OF CHANGE This March

Lyrics and Lyricists presents What's Going On?: Songs of Change on March 25, 26 and 27. What's Going On was created and conceived by Warren Adams (Motown: The Musical) and Michael O. Mitchell (MJ: The Musical ) as a theatrical concert exploring the work of Black songwriters and artists whose music is an essential part of the American Songbook and has played an integral role in the country's culture.
Review: Jessica Vosk Presented By Washington Performing Arts At Sixth and I Historic Synagogue

We all know that Jessica Vosk is best known for her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked. It’s how many of us first became familiar with her talents. When the tour came here to the Kennedy Center in 2016, Vosk effectively blew a hole in the roof of the Opera House. Her performance was that good. After touring, she was rightfully chosen to perform the show on Broadway for its fifteenth anniversary.
Interview: Theatre Life with Jessica Vosk

Today's subject is one of those performers that proves you can reinvent yourself to great success. Many of us locally came to know Jessica Vosk when she blew into the Kennedy Center with the national tour of Wicked in the role of Elphaba. After touring with the show she took Broadway by storm in that same role. What is interesting about Jessica's professional performing carer is that it really didn't start until age 30 as she had been working on Wall Street up until then. Lucky for us, she made that career move.
James Monroe Iglehart to Star in Broadway-Aimed A WONDERFUL WORLD in New Orleans & Chicago

A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong will premiere in New Orleans and Chicago this fall, with Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart starring as Armstrong. See additional details, and how to purchase tickets!
12 Days Left To Vote For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Miami Metro Awards; Delray Beach Playhouse Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Miami Metro Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.
Review: Broadway World Didn't Miss MISS As Lyrics & Lyricists Presented MISS: BROADWAY'S WOMEN SONGWRITERS At The 92nd Street Y

It is our sincere hope that this is not the last MISS we will see. The ladies have something here and this 92nd Street Y evening could very well serve as a workshop for something really magical.
Latest Stats Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Miami Metro Awards; at Delray Beach Playhouse Leads Best Ensemble Performance!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Miami Metro Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.
Latest Standings Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Miami Metro Awards; Delray Beach Playhouse Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 5th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Miami Metro Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.
First Stats Released For The BroadwayWorld Miami Metro Awards; Seminole's MAMMA MIA! Leads Best Musical

The first live standings have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Miami Metro Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.
Kate Baldwin & Georgia Stitt to Co-Host MISS: BROADWAY'S WOMEN SONGWRITERS at 92NY

Lyrics and Lyricists will present MISS: Broadway’s Women Songwriters on December 10, 11 and 12, celebrating Broadway’s long history of women songwriters and their indelible work, in a show conceived, co-written and co-hosted by two-time Tony nominee Kate Baldwin and award-winning composer-lyricist Georgia Stitt.

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