Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra McDonald are a talented and beloved duo that has been delighting audiences since they first appeared on stage together in Ragtime. Since then, they’ve each gone on to have stellar careers in theatre, television, and film. So, we were stoked about the reuniting of these powerhouses in the upcoming Broadway production of Shuffle Along, Or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed. But, it just got even better, particularly for those who can’t make it to Broadway to see them perform. The talented Tony Award-winning twosome will be gracing your television sets in an all-star music tribute at the White House in early 2016.
Mitchell and McDonald are among several performers participating in “A Celebration of American Creativity: In Performance at the White House” which will be filmed on October 14 for broadcast on PBS on January 8, 2016. The concert, hosted by President Barack and Mrs. Obama, has been billed as a celebration of “the cultural resonance of art and literatures in unique American musical forms.” This “In Performance at the White House” concert celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act.
Other entertainers who are slated to perform include Buddy Guy, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Keb’ Mo’, Smokey Robinson, Trombone Shorty, Esperanza Spalding and Usher. The inclusion of Queen Latifah and MC Lyte is significant because this will mark the first hip-hop performance in the “In Performance at the White House” broadcast series. All of the songs that have been selected were drawn from American-originated musical genres, including hip-hop, blues and the American Songbook.
The event will be the fifteenth “In Performance at the White House” program during President Obama’s administration. Since February 2009, “In Performance at the White House” events have honored the musical genius of Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, and Carole King; celebrated Hispanic music, the music of Motown, Memphis Soul and the Blues, and celebrated the rich roots of Country and Gospel music.
The concert, including President Obama’s remarks, will be streamed live! Watch it right here!
UPDATE: The live stream has concluded and the special will air on PBS in January. Watch the introduction given by our President Barack Obama at the event last night below.
