By Tanna M. Friday, For The Tribune
LEEDS — The glitz and glam of local performers took center stage this past weekend to raise money for lights and sound upgrades for the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. An evening with Brandi McClaran and friends featured broadway music from 20 broadway musicals, including Grease, Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera, and Waitress.
The event, located at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center, offered a signature blend of live entertainment from local performers such as Brandi McClaran, Allie Picou, Brian Allison, Jana Hoffman, Jon McClaran, Josh McDaniel, Lauren Culotta, and Shawn Reese.
This isn’t the first musical McClaran has produced, and she was excited to share the spotlight with her friends.
The theater was full of mesmerized supporters enjoying Broadway tunes such as Think of Me, Tonight, Mama Mia Medley, and many more.
“I wanted to do a show a little different from the previous year,” Brandi McClaran said. “I wanted to perform with castmates from previous shows. So I reached out and got together the best vocalist/performers I knew.”
McClaran shared that the cast only had five rehearsals to learn the group numbers and choreography.
“These guys and gals have worked so hard to make this the best show possible in just a few short weeks,” she added.
The show raised $2,000, and McClaran said Leeds Arts Council is chipping away at raising the money for the improvements.
“We are excited with the progress we made this weekend,” McClaran said.
According to its website, the Leeds Art Council hosts several events in its programming, including fine arts demonstrations, classes, and shows, monthly gallery exhibits, story-telling, vocal and instrumental concerts, poetry readings, holiday events, and children’s theater workshops.
The Leeds Art Council’s mission is to build and maintain a program for the advancements of the arts. Their hope is to foster and encourage public appreciation for the arts and teaching of art, drama, theatre, music history, and art appreciation.
For more information about the Leeds Arts Council and how you can support the local arts, visit www.leedsartscouncil.org.