Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square announces guest artists for annual Christmas concert

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SALT LAKE CITY – The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square‘s annual Christmas concert has become a beloved holiday tradition in Utah and around the globe. The unforgettable night of music, inspiration and faith showcases the choir’s immense talent.

Each year, the choir invites a guest artist to join them on stage. Looking back at past performances, the long list of esteemed guests includes Gladys Knight, Walter Cronkite, Sutton Foster and Kristin Chenoweth. Just last year, Broadway singer Ruthie Ann Miles graced the stage.

On Friday, the choir announced that the esteemed guest stars at this year’s concert will be Tony Award-winning actress Stephanie J. Block and her husband, Broadway and television star Sebastian Arcelus.

“Stephanie J. Block and Sebastian Arcelus are wonderful, gifted performers,” Mack Wilberg, director of the choir, said. “It will be a privilege to share the stage with such talented artists as together we celebrate the Savior’s birth during the Christmas season.”

Block won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, and recently played Kate in ‘Kiss Me, Kate,’ at London’s Barbican Theater.

Arcelus recently played the role of The Baker in the Broadway revival and national tour of “Into the Woods,” where Block played his counterpart as the Baker’s Wife.

“We are a prayerful family,” the pair said in an interview with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “So when Christ and family come together to meet the gifts we’ve been given, and the opportunity lends itself to share those gifts at Christmas time, we feel very, very lucky.”

Arcelus called the opportunity to perform with his wife and the choir as “an extraordinary surprise and a great honor,” according to a release.

“So to be in that space and feel the well of emotion, and the power of music and voice and faith. But also the intimacy of what, you know, that means for each of us, is something that I really can’t wait for,” Arcelus said.

Block is looking forward to the sound and performing in front of the Conference Center’s 21,000-seat crowd. But most of all, she told KSL that she’s excited to share the stage with her husband.

“Every year, the Tabernacle Choir looks forward to sharing the message of the birth of our Savior and the joy of the Christmas season through music,” Tabernacle Choir President Michael O. Leavitt said. “As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we look to Jesus Christ for peace and solace and hope that everyone will reach out and feel His love for them during this special time of the year.”

Ticket and event information

The concert, held at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Dec. 11, 12 and 13, will be seen by people around the world to celebrate the season. Tickets are complimentary but required, according to the church.

“Tickets will be distributed through a random selection process and limited to four tickets per household,” a release from the church said. “Those wishing to request tickets are invited to sign up during the registration period which runs from Oct. 28 through Nov. 7 on the Choir’s website. Concertgoers must be eight-years-old and above to attend.

The choir said a standby line for the Christmas concerts will be in the Tabernacle Square approximaely 90 minutes before the concert begins at 8 p.m.