Is there any working actor with a more powerful, beautiful voice than
Broadway's "Last Great Leading Man," Brian Stokes Mitchell? The
handsome baritone's performance last night at the Kennedy Center leaves little room for doubt.

All gushing aside, Mitchell delivered a wonderful concert, pairing with the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by another Broadway great, A Chorus Line's composer Marvin Hamlisch.

Though the pair's banter was occasionally hokey and strained, this hardly detracted from the reason the audience was there – to be wowed by Mitchell's booming renditions of everything from Gershwin to Sondheim. Though the orchestra got plenty of opportunities to strut its stuff, from a South Pacific medley to a lovely selection from the current, somewhat obscure musical The Light In The Piazza, the show was largely Mitchell's.

The singer had some surprises to offer, showing off his higher register with "How Long Has This Been Going On" and turning up his sex appeal with a pleasing medley of crooner standards, including "The Very Thought Of You" and "They Can't Take That Away From Me."

But it was his signature songs which had the audience rapt with attention and admiration. Mitchell's heartbreaking rendition of "This Nearly Was Mine" made one forget another ever sang it before him.

Mitchell gave an unexpected encore: the song "I Was Here," written by Ragtime composers Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. The poignant piece tells the story of an actor's passionate drive to leave behind a legacy with his art. Mitchell is fortunate enough to have already accomplished just that.

The performance continues this Friday and Saturday at the Kennedy Center's Concert Hall. Tickets range from $20-$80.