The concerts were conducted by the Pops' musical director Steven Reineke, and also featured 13-year-old drummer Jared Silverstein, who joined the orchestra for "The Little Drummer Boy."

Mitchell is currently appearing in the Broadway musical, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. He received a Tony Award for his role as Fred Graham in Kiss Me Kate. In addition, he was Tony-nominated for his performances in Man of La Mancha, Ragtime, and King Hedley II.