Ruthie Ann Miles, Tony Award winner, sings with the Tabernacle Choir

SALT LAKE CITY – Ruthie Ann Miles, a Tony Award-winning actress and Broadway star, will perform at the Tabernacle Choir's annual Christmas concert at Temple Square in December.

Miles will be the featured guest at concerts on Dec. 19, 20 and 21, the choir announced Friday morning.

Mack Wilberg, the Tabernacle Choir's music director, told KSL in an exclusive interview that he is thrilled that this year's concert will feature Miles, who is currently starring in “McNeal” on Broadway at the Lincoln Center Theater. She won a Tony Award in 2015 for her performance in “The King and I.”

“She is as warm and generous as anyone I have ever met, and I think she will bring that warmth to our performance,” Wilberg said. “I think everyone can really look forward to this year’s concert.”

The Christmas Concert Series with Ruthie Ann Miles

This will be the first Christmas concert in five years to sell out the Salt Lake City Conference Center, which seats about 21,000 people. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and construction around Temple Square, seating was limited for several years.

“We’re looking forward to having all 21,000 of us there,” said choir president Michael Leavitt. “I think that’s what everyone is looking forward to, not just in Utah but across the country.”

Tickets for this year's concert are free and will be given out randomly, the choir said. The registration period begins on Tuesday, October 15th and runs until Friday, November 1st. You can register on the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square website. Entry is open to people aged 8 and over.

For those who do not receive tickets, a standby line forms at the Tabernacle on Temple Square each evening at 6:30 p.m. The concert starts at 8:00 p.m

More than just Christmas music

Miles will also appear on the choir’s weekly “Music and the Spoken Word” program on Sunday, December 22nd. No tickets are required for this.

“Every year is a little different, but Christmas has a special vibe,” said Kelly Taylor, director of marketing and reputation for the choir. “That’s why people want this to be a part of their regular tradition. Once you experience it once, you wish you could do it again and again.”

Miles also had roles on Broadway in “The Light in the Piazza” and “Sweeney Todd.” She also received wide recognition for her role in “Here Lies Love”.

Related: 'Indescribable': Tabernacle Choir performs with African-American glee clubs in Georgia

The actress is also known for her work on television, including All Rise and The Americans, as well as Over the Moon on Netflix.

Choir member Chathum Nielsen said he is looking forward to this year's concert and always enjoys working with guest artists.

“Every guest artist that comes brings something really unique and special,” Nielsen said. “They're just so lovely and you just feel like you're the important one to them, and I think that's what makes them such great performers too. The audience just connects on that one-to-one basis.”

In a press release, the choir said Miles was also recognized for her work “empowering women, educating students and particularly elevating the Asian American artistic community.”

“We are pleased to have her join the choir and orchestra to bring joy to the hearts of our audience as we celebrate the birth of the Savior,” Wilberg said.

Last year's Christmas concert by the Tabernacle Choir featured Broadway star Michael Maliakel and film and television actor Lesley Nicol. The concert will air on PBS on December 17th and 24th and the DVD and CD versions will go on sale on October 25th.