BWW Reviews: Brian Stokes Mitchell In Concert at the Kennedy Center
By: Charles Shubow May. 14, 2013
OK...I admit it. I just adore Brian Stokes Mitchell. And for a Mother's Day celebration, I couldn't have picked a better choice.
I've seen him in RAGTIME, KISS ME KATE (Tony winner), MAN OF LA MANCHA, KING HEDLEY II, WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN (not mentioned in his bio), in concert at the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, and at Baltimore's Center Stage.
So this was the 9th time I've had the pleasure, and I mean pleasure, of seeing this incomporable performer live.
Thanks go to the Washington Performing Arts Society for putting together Mr. Mitchell with The Choral Arts Society of Washington, all 180 incredible voices, and a wonderful 15 piece orchestra under the baton of Scott Tucker for a concert entitled "Broadway's Show-Stoppers". And there were quite a few of them.
The afternoon got underway at 5 p.m. (a strange time for an event) with the powerful and entertaining Choral Arts Society singing "It's a Grand Night for Singing" from STATE FAIR. Following this introduction came a Jerome Kern medley followed by five selections from the Stephen Sondheim canon. It was fun to watch the chorus enjoy themselves with "The Little Things You Do Together" from COMPANY (coming soon to the Signature Theatre). They were incredibly animated.
Then HE came on stage along with Tedd Firth on the piano. One of the joys of the afternoon were the incredible arrangements. Tony winning icon Jonthan Tunick was responsible for two numbers from SOUTH PACIFIC - "Some Enchanted Evening" and "This Nearly Was Mine". Mitchell joked that this song was an 11th hour number, sung near the end of a musical. He added that Broadway musicals in the 1940's began at 8:30 p.m. thus an 11 o'clock number was near the end of the show. Today he joked, it would be a 10:30 p.m. number! Believe it or not, he sang this without the aid of a microphone testing the great acoustics at the Kennedy Center. And it was wonderful!
Mitchell has only one Tony and that was for KISS ME KATE. I still don't understand why he didn't win one for RAGTIME. Who beat him? A non-singer, Alan Cumming for CABARET.
Mitchell commented that he won his FIRST Tony Award (oops, only Tony) for KMK and sang the delightful "Where is the Life that Late I Led."
CAMELOT'S "How to Handle a Woman" was just plain luscious.
Mitchell did a little struttin' with "It Ain't Necessaryily So" from PORGY AND BESS. His last solo was a song from FUNNY GIRL normally sung by a woman, "Don't Rain on My Parade" but he did it with such class.
The Chorus joined him for "You'll Never Walk Alone" from CAROUSEL Then memories were rekindled with "The Wheels of a Dream" from RAGTIME. It was goose bump city. He sang a lovely tune by John Bucchino entitled "Grateful".
I found out after the show from pianist Ted Furth, Mitchell added a number the day before the concert for Mother's Day, a gorgeous song by Maury Yeston entitled "New Words".
He finished the evening with his own incredible arrangement of "The Impossible Dream" from MAN OF LA MANCHA. The audience immediately was on its feet with appreciation.
The intermission-less afternoon finished around 6:45 p.m. You could say his "6:45 number" was one for the ages.
Suggestion for Dinner near the Kennedy Center
After the concert, we were recommended to try Ristorante La Perla at 2600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington DC 20037. They have valet parking for only $6 so it's a good deal before or after a show. My wife and had a scrumptious dinner. It's an absolutely beautiful place that is now ten years old. I had a wonderful veal dish with asparagus, cheese and crab meat. Give it a try. For reservations, call 202-333-1767 or visit http://www.laperla.us. Ask for Chef Vittorio Testa, Chef/Owner who hails from Naples.
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