Brian Stokes Mitchell, who took home a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Broadway's Kiss Me, Kate, will hand his tights over to Burke Moses, who begins performances in the revival of the Cole Porter classic Jan. 30, 2001.

Moses is remembered for his swaggering turn as the original Gaston in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast. In Kiss Me, Kate, he will play the roles of egotistical producer-director-actor Fred Graham and Shakespeare's Petruchio opposite Tony Award nominee Marin Mazzie as stage and film star Lilli Vanessi and Shakespeare's Kate.

Mitchell's final performance in the dual role of producer-director Fred Graham, who is staging a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew (in which the character also stars as Petruchio), is Jan. 28, 2001. Producers made the announcement Oct. 30. Mitchell created the role(s) in the revival, which began performances in October 1999.

Moses made his Broadway debut as Sky Masterson in the Jerry Zaks revival of Guys and Dolls. He created the role of testosterone-pumped villain Gaston in the Broadway production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast and earned a Drama Desk nomination and a Theatre World Award. He also swaggered in the tuner in the Los Angeles and London productions . Moses appeared in the Encores! Staging of Lil Abner (title role) and Dubarry Was a Lady. In Kiss Me, Kate, he'll sing some of Porter's choicest material: "So in Love," "Where Is the Life That Late I Led?," "Wunderbar," "Were Thine That Special Face" and "I've Come to Wive It Wealthily in Padua."

Mitchell will be seen in the upcoming Showtime film, "Ruby's Bucket of Blood" with Angela Bassett. He will also be heard on a solo album. Performances of Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate, directed by Michael Blakemore, continue at the Martin Beck Theatre, 302 W. 45th St., in Manhattan. Call (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250.

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Mitchell's departure breaks up a special Broadway pairing: He and Mazzie were stars of the original company of Ragtime.