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SALT LAKE CITY — Michael Maliakel, who currently plays Aladdin on Broadway, and Lesley Nicol, a Broadway actress known for her role as a cook in the TV show "Downton Abbey," will join the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for its Christmas concert this year.
Mack Wilberg, music director of the choir, said the choir is "delighted" to have Malaikel and Nicol join them.
"Together they will bring the holiday spirit into the hearts of our audiences through music and word celebrating the joy that is found in family and the celebration of the Savior's birth," he said.
The featured guests were announced Friday and the concerts will be held on Dec. 14, 15 and 16 at the Conference Center.
Maliakel is an Indian-American actor and singer who toured North America during the 25th anniversary production of "The Phantom of the Opera" as Raoul. He was recently featured in two PBS concert specials.
Nicol is perhaps best known for her role as Mrs. Patmore in "Downton Abbey," but she has also played many roles on Broadway, in the West End and in movies. She recently completed filming for "Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office," an ITV series that will be released next year. Last year she produced a new one-woman musical called "How the Hell Did I Get Here?"
Tickets to the concert are free, and will be distributed randomly to those who request tickets. Four tickets for each household can be requested between Oct. 24 and Nov. 3.
Maliakel and Nicol will also both be joining the choir for its "Music and the Spoken Word" broadcast on Dec. 17, and tickets will not be required to attend that performance.
While Maliakel plays Aladdin, last year the singing voice of Princess Jasmine from "Aladdin" — Broadway star Lea Salonga — joined the choir for its Christmas concerts. That 2022 concert, titled "Season of Light, Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir," will be broadcast on PBS on Dec. 12. The choir will also be selling recordings of that concert, along with an illustrated book based on the narrations, on its website later this year.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square consists of 360 men and women, and they are accompanied by the 150 members of the Orchestra at Temple Square and 32 members of the Bells at Temple Square.
"Together, they provide inspiring music that has the power to help people feel closer to the divine and celebrate God's love for all his children," the choir's announcement says.
The Tabernacle Choir's "Music and the Spoken Word" is now in its 95th year and is the oldest continuing radio network broadcast.
