Brian Stokes Mitchell to Join the Cincinnati Pops at the Broward Center, 12/8

One of the concert world's most popular ensembles performs its "Holiday Pops" program featuring Broadway superstar Brian Stokes Mitchell when the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra conducted by John Morris Russell takes the stage on Monday, December 8 at 8 p.m. in the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Presented as part of the 2014-2015 Broward Center Classical Series, the concert is underwritten by Jacquelyn and Bruce Rogow.

Holiday favorites and contemporary classics create a seasonal treat in a program that includes: popular songs "Deck the Halls," "Sleigh Ride" and "The Christmas Song"; beloved carols "Little Drummer Boy" and "We Three Kings"; seasonal classics "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers," "Ave Maria" and a concert suite from The Polar Express, as well as the whimsical "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch."

The Cincinnati Pops is the alter ego of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, performing a diverse array of musical styles, all bathed in the world-renowned "Cincinnati Sound." Officially founded in 1977, the Pops has sold 10 million recordings around the planet since 1980. An estimated 30 million people have viewed national telecasts of the Cincinnati Pops on PBS; and the orchestra has more than 100 available recordings, 55 of which have appeared on the Billboard charts, a record unmatched by any other orchestra. The Pops' Copland: Music of America won a Grammy in 1997, and four other Pops recordings have been nominated for Grammy Awards.

In his third season as conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Russell's diverse programming and electric stage presence have infused new creativity and energy into one of the world's most iconic pops orchestras. From orchestral classics, works for stage and screen, world music and the gamut of American styles, Russell is redefining the Pops, resulting in double digit increases in attendance and a re-emergence of the globally popular Cincinnati Pops into commercial recording and touring.

Mitchell has enjoyed a rich and varied career on Broadway, television and film, along with appearances in the great American concert halls. His Broadway musical 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 the recent Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. His musical versatility has kept him in demand by some of the country's finest conductors and orchestras; and USA Today chose his release Simply Broadway as one of the "Best Albums of 2013."

The Broward Center 2014-15 Classical Series curated by James Judd continues with Seraphic Fire performing Handel's "Messiah" (Dec. 19); Jonathan Biss solo piano recital (Jan. 16); The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra conducted by Keith Lockhart (Feb. 9) violinist Itzhak Perlman with pianist Rohan De Silva (March 23); and Australian Chamber Orchestra with clarinetist Martin Fröst (April 22).

Tickets are $40 to $125 with Club Level tickets available for $135. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Broward Center, Parker Playhouse and affiliated venues. Buy tickets online at BrowardCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com; by phone at 800.745.3000 or TTD/TTY at 800.359.2525; in person at Ticketmaster outlets or the Broward Center's AutoNation Box Office. Know who you are buying from when you purchase tickets. We CANNOT PROVIDE REFUNDS OR CUSTOMER SERVICE for tickets purchased from unauthorized sites, brokers or secondary ticket sellers. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

About The Broward Center for the Performing Arts - The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is one of America's premier performing arts venues. Presenting more than 700 performances each year to more than 600,000 patrons, the Center showcases a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events, and offers one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, serving more than 150,000 students annually. The Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. receives and maintains funds to sustain, develop and secure the future of the Broward Center. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit BrowardCenter.org.