Brian Stokes Mitchell to Headline Philadelphia Theatre Company Gala on April 30

Brian Stokes Mitchell headlines Philadelphia Theatre Company's annual Gala on Monday, April 30 at The Hyatt at the Bellevue. Ticket holders will be admitted to mezzanine seating of the Grand Ballroom beginning at 8:30pm.

Brian Stokes Mitchell has enjoyed a rich and varied career on Broadway, television and film, along with appearances in the great American concert halls. His Broadway career includes performances in Man of La Mancha (Tony nomination and Helen Hayes Award); Kiss Me Kate (Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards); Ragtime (Tony nomination and Drama League's Distinguished Performance Award); August Wilson's King Hedley II (Tony nomination); Kiss of the Spider Woman; Jelly's Last Jam; David Merrick's Oh, Kay! and Mail, which earned him a Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut. Late last year, Stokes returned to Broadway after a seven year absence to star in Lincoln Center Theatre's production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown which also starred Patti LuPone. At Encores he has starred in Do, Re, Mi and Carnival and this last season starred in Kismet. His long television career began with a seven year stint on Trapper John, MD and has included recurring roles on Crossing Jordan, Frasier, and most recently as one of Rachel's fathers in the hit series Glee.

Stokes' musical versatility has kept him in demand by some of the country's finest conductors and orchestras. He has performed selections from Porgy and Bess with Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony at Carnegie Hall, Broadway tunes at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC under the baton of Marvin Hamlisch with National Symphony Orchestra, and jazz standards with Maestro John Williams at Disney Hall and with the Boston Pops. He recently debuted Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Del Tredici's Rip Van Winkle with the National Symphony Orchestra and Leonard Slatkin. He has been invited to the White House twice to perform for Presidents Clinton and Obama.

The annual Gala event, which kicks off with a Silent Auction beginning at 6:00 PM, will honor Bala Cynwyd residents Marilyn and J. Robert Birnhak for their many years of support to both Philadelphia Theatre Company and its home, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.

Founded in 1974, Philadelphia Theatre Company is a leading regional theater company whose mission is to produce, develop and present entertaining and imaginative contemporary theater focused on the American experience that both ignites the intellect and touches the soul. By developing new work through commissions, readings and workshops PTC generates projects that have a national impact and reach broad regional audiences. Under the leadership of PTC's Producing Artistic Director Sara Garonzik since 1982 and Managing Director Shira Beckerman, who joined PTC in August, 2011, PTC supports the work of a growing body of diverse dramatists and takes pride in being a home to many nationally recognized artists who have participated in more than 140 world and Philadelphia premieres. PTC has received 46 Barrymore Awards and 155 nominations. In October 2007, PTC opened the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, their home on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts, which has helped contribute to the revitalization of Center City Philadelphia's thriving arts district.

Tickets to the concert only at $50 are available by calling the Philadelphia Theatre Company Development Office at 215-985-1400 ext. 117. 

PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany.org

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