Brian Stokes Mitchell to Make Solo Debut at Carnegie Hall

The Actors Fund announced today that Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell will take to the stage at Carnegie Hall for the very first time as a solo artist on October 15th, 2007.   Proceeds from the one-night-only appearance will benefit the Fund which is the leading national human services organization that helps professionals in performing arts and entertainment.

"It is hard to put into words how incredibly honored and excited I am to be making my solo debut on one of the most celebrated stages in the world.  I have been a part of some very special shows at Carnegie Hall with other great artists, but to now have a performance that is all my own is going to be an all together different experience," stated Mitchell (Man of La Mancha, Kiss Me, Kate, Ragtime).  "The Actors Fund is a critical organization for everyone in the entertainment industry and I am proud that this important night in my career can also benefit this wonderful organization."

The evening's musical selections will come from Mitchell's distinguished career achievements as one of the central male star figures of the theatre over the last two decades as well as contemporary recordings and music he has always wanted to perform.  For the occasion, he has invited some of his past leading ladies to share the stage with him for a few select favorites including Reba McEntire and Phylicia Rashad with others to be announced shortly.

"'Stokes' last played Carnegie Hall in 2005 for the critically acclaimed concert version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific co-starring Reba McEntire and Alec Baldwin.    Stokes' celebrated baritone has been heard on some of the world's most renowned stages including Lincoln Center, the Hollywood Bowl, Tanglewood, The Walt Disney Concert Hall and Ravinia.  His musical versatility and thrilling voice has kept him in demand by some of the country's finest conductors and orchestras, performing Broadway tunes, jazz standards and contemporary pieces under the batons of such greats Leonard Slatkin, Marvin Hamlisch, John Williams and Paul Gemignani.  In 2006, Mitchell's solo recording debut served as the flagship release for an innovative new record label, Playbill Records, a venture with Sony BMG," as described in press materials.

This year, The Actors Fund celebrates 125 years of taking care of everyone in the performing arts.  The organization is in many ways a safety net for those in the community who are seeking assistance.  With nearly 36% of entertainment professionals having no health insurance and unemployment rates reaching 70-80%, the Fund was developed as a way for the community to take care of itself; for individuals to help their colleagues and give back to the community at the same time.  Brian Stokes Mitchell has served as President of The Actors Fund for three years.

Directing Mitchell's solo debut is veteran director and producer Richard Jay-Alexander.  Jay-Alexander recently completed Barbra Streisand's North American and European Tours.  He also directed Broadway's Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga in their Carnegie Hall debuts.  Known for his affiliations to Broadway and musicals such as Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, he has worked with many stars, including Bette Midler, Johnny Mathis and Ricky Martin, to name a few.  Jay-Alexander is also Executive Producer for Playbill Records.

The legendary Paul Gemignani will serve as the shows Musical Director and Conductor.  He is currently the Musical Director for 110 in the Shade and recently won an Emmy for the aforementioned performance of South Pacific which aired on PBS.  He has more than 35 Broadway and West End shows to his credit, including Follies, Pacific Overtures, Candide, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Evita, Dreamgirls, Merrily We Roll Along, Into the Woods, On the Twentieth Century, Sunday in the Park with George, Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Crazy for You, Passion, High Society, and Kiss Me, Kate.  Gemignani was presented with the American Theatre Wings' Special Lifetime Achievement Tony Award ® in 2001 and has been synonymous for his work with Stephen Sondheim.

The Actors Fund will also be honoring John Breglio with "The Actors Fund Medal of Honor" on stage at Carnegie Hall prior to the concert.  This milestone is in recognition of his tremendous contribution to not only The Actors Fund, but to the performing arts community as a whole. 

Tickets for Brian Stokes Mitchell at Carnegie Hall can be purchased by calling the Carnegie Hall Box Office at 212-247-7800 or online at www.carnegiehall.org.

For more information, please visit www.actorsfund.org and www.Brianstokes.com.

Photo by Joan Marcus