I'm in love! I'm in love! And I don't care who knows it!

Oh my goodness. I have to tell this story and then if anyone ever reads this, you should go to the following link and watch the concert.

First thing you should know is I love the Kennedy Center and everything that happens there. It's so beautiful and amazing to me. Sometimes I have a hard time controlling how many shows I see there and I probably spend too much money on tickets. I made a resolution to try to avoid the Kennedy Center for the next few months with the exception of seeing a few shows necessary shows. The other thing you should know is that I'm in love with Brian Stokes Mitchell. This fall probably happened during the Carnegie Hall concert version of South Pacific as I watched and listened to him impersonate an optimistic French plantation owner. That said, now I can begin the story.

A few weeks ago, when I was finding myself bored out of my mind and too often stranded in Fairfax, Virginia, a friend invited me to see the Limon Dance Company perform at the Kennedy Center. I was super excited to do something social and very relieved that someone else invited me to go to a show at the Kennedy Center. It gave me a good excuse to go. I should have known what would happen, but I just didn't see it coming. I loved the show! The choreography and the style was a little unexpected. It was much more muscular and controlled than I had seen in many modern dance concerts in the last several years. I got hooked and went home and searched for upcoming shows that I could go see.

As soon as the webpage loaded, I saw the name "Brian Stokes Mitchell" flash across the screen. Brian Stokes Mitchell at the KC?! There is no way I would miss that performance. I clicked the link that took me to more info. He would be performing at a Millenium Stage concert. I thought that it was bizarre for him to perform at a free concert since he is such a big name. Then I read the other names of the performers: Stephen Schwarz, Liz Callaway, Jeanine Tesori, Flaherty & Ahrens, Frankel & Korie and other Broadway stars. This was too good to be true--all these stars at a free concert.

Well, it was true. And I went at 3pm last Saturday to wait in line for my free ticket to the concert. There were hundreds of people waiting. The KC was smart enough to hold the concert in the Opera House to please the masses. The host introduced the concert as a living room concert that a writer might hold in his home. The stage looked like a songwriter's living room with couches and a grand piano. Each songwriter or lyricist came on stage and talked about their past work and current efforts. Then either the songwriter or an accomplished artist would perform a piece. I really liked the song "Lot's Wife" sung by Adriane Lenox. I was waiting patiently for Brian Stokes Mitchell. He was 12th out of 13 acts. The last act listed in the program was the University of Maryland students singing Stephen Schwarz's "For Good" from Wicked.

After two glorious hours of free insight and wonderful music from these artists' lives, the host announced the last song, "For Good." The University of Maryland singers walked on stage to sing. But Brian Stokes Mitchell hadn't come out yet! The concert wasn't supposed to go as long as it did. I wondered if maybe he had to leave early. I became upset at the host for asking so many questions and talking so much. I had built up the excitement so much that the disappointment was breaking my heart. Brian Stokes Mitchell was the only reason I wanted to come in the first place. The concert meant absolutely nothing without him singing. I was so upset that my eyes were watering a bit. I almost stood up to leave, because I had already heard the University of Maryland sing "For Good" at a free concert several months before--and they were not very good. I stayed to be polite.

They finished singing. Thank goodness. The host announced, "And we have one last song for you to close the evening." I realized then that the entire audience had felt the same way I did when I felt an almost audible release of tension as Brian Stokes Mitchell walked on stage. I thought my heart was broken just moments before and then it melted. I even cried a little bit, because I was so happy. He talked for a minute about the incredible song, "Wheels of a Dream" which was written by Flaherty and Ahrens, who were sitting right behind him on a couch. Then...he sang. In seconds his mild talking voice morphed into a huge melody that filled the entire house. His presence is so genuine and capitvating. It was incredible. The concert was amazing. Two and half hours of goodness! So, that's all. I love my life.

http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/kc_video_dyn.cfm?encoded=http%3A%2F%2Fplay%2Erbn%2Ecom%2F%3Furl%3Dkennedy%2Fkennedyg2%2Fg2demand%2F01312009%5F1800%5FOPH%2Erm%26amp%3Bproto%3Drtsp&header_image=header_mil_video.gif

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