Brian Stokes Mitchell

Thanks to the kindness of Lori and Brent (who could not go due to moving into a new house), I had the amazing opportunity to go to the Conference Center in Salt Lake last night and see The Gift of Music concert.  We were informed by the conductor that this is the largest concert hall in the world.  And it is beautiful.  I love it every time I'm there.

It was an even bigger surprise and treat because I had no idea that this concert was even happening when Lori called me.  But then she said three magic words: Brian Stokes Mitchell.  I was so thrilled.  I was able to see him once before almost 5 years ago when he came to Emerson College while I was a student there.  He came and spoke on a Friday night, and then he held a master class with some of the older musical theatre students on Saturday morning.  He was incredible.  He was in Man of La Mancha at the time and he walked us through his interpretation of The Impossible Dream.  I have loved him ever since I first heard him on Ragtime.

He was incredible once again.  He sang with the Utah Symphony, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and Denyce Graves.  But he stole the show.  Walking back to our car, he was the only person anyone could talk about.  He sang Some Enchanted Evening, Wheels of a Dream, and of course, The Impossible Dream which received (and deserved) a standing ovation.  (The video does not do him justice because it's grainy, so please look it up somewhere else to get the full effect.)  He also sang some jazz which was fabulous.  He is such an incredible performer and I have been lucky enough to see him twice.  Next adventure is to see him in an actual show!  Thank you Lori and Brent for giving me the gift of music.