WNET UP Next Welcomes Brian Stokes Mitchell to the Podcast

WNET UP Next

20 Years of Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir celebrates the many years of televised Christmas concerts with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra from The Conference Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. Boston’s GBH and PBS are presenting this two hour long retrospective hosted and narrated by Tony award winning actor and singer Brian Stokes Mitchell.

In conversation with WNET UP NEXT host Tom Stewart, Mr. Mitchell, known informally as “Stokes,” explains his ongoing relationship with the Tabernacle Choir. His experiences with the Christmas Concerts date back to 2008, when he was that year’s featured soloist. For this production, he performs several songs, conducts a backstage tour of the vast theater from which the concerts originate, and introduces many highlights from past years. Performers include Laura Osnes, Rolando Villazon, Angela Lansbury, Kristin Chenoweth, Audra McDonald, Alfie Boe, Renee Fleming, Hugh Bonneville, Gladys Knight, Santino Fontana, Kelli O’Hara, Walter Cronkite, Tom Brokaw, and The Muppets!

Stokes also discusses his career in the Broadway theater, including his reflections on “Ragtime”, and why that show has such a special place in his heart. He also shares thoughts about his role as Chairman of the Board of the Actors Fund of America and his work as a founding member of Black Theater United. He is also currently hosting a livestreamed online talk show called “Crossovers Live”.

20 Years of Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir has its broadcast premiere on PBS on Monday, December 13 at 8:00PM ET and repeating several times throughout the season. It will also be streaming on https://www.pbs.org and can also be seen on BYUtv, BYUtv.org and the free BYUtv app Thursday, December 16 at 9:00PM ET. The DVD version of the concert is available for purchase and music from the concert is also available on YouTube and Spotify.

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Recorded: December 1, 2021

Published: December 5, 2021

Audio Engineer – Josh Broome

Producer/Host – Tom Stewart

Executive Producer/Editor – Daena McBride

Special thanks to the staff of GBH and McKenzie Hurst of Thatcher and Company

WNET UP NEXT is a presentation of the Design, On Air Promotion, Fundraising and Traffic Department of The WNET Group.

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