MANSFIELD, OHIO – Beloved Broadway classics, familiar holiday favorites, a little humor, a little sparkle, and plenty of heart. Renaissance favorite Leah Gesouras brings them all together when she takes the Ghostlight Cabaret stage for Have Yourself a Broadway Little Christmas on Wednesday, December 2 at 7:30 PM.
Blending the timeless magic of Broadway with the warmth and nostalgia of an old-fashioned Christmas, Have Yourself a Broadway Little Christmas invites audiences into a festive, up-close evening of show tunes, Christmas classics, and the powerhouse vocals Renaissance audiences have come to know and love.
The evening holds special meaning for Gesouras. For nearly two decades, the Renaissance has been a place where she has performed, grown as an artist, and shared the stage with friends and fellow performers. As she prepares to leave for flight attendant training with United Airlines in December, this cabaret will be her final performance (for now!) before she begins an entirely new chapter.
“The Renaissance has been such an important part of my life for nearly two decades,” said Gesouras. “Some of my most cherished memories have been made on that stage, surrounded by people who share a love of music and theatre. As I prepare for a new adventure with United Airlines, this evening feels especially meaningful. I wanted to bring together two things I’ve always loved: the magic of Broadway and the joy of Christmas. More than anything, I hope it’s an evening filled with laughter, nostalgia, beautiful music, and a little holiday magic. What a wonderful way to say ‘until we meet again!’”
Renaissance audiences most recently saw Gesouras as Sarah Brown in this summer’s Guys and Dolls. Her many Ren credits include Rosie in Mamma Mia!, Domina in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Marian Paroo in The Music Man, and Sally Durant Plummer in Follies. She has also appeared with the Mansfield Symphony as Abigail Adams in 1776 In Concert and Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof in Concert.
The performance takes place in the Ghostlight Lounge, an intimate venue located beneath the Renaissance Theatre lobby. Featuring a private bar, piano, and speakeasy-style atmosphere, the lounge seats just 80 guests, places audiences just feet from the performer, and offers a distinctly different experience from the Renaissance Main Stage.
Have Yourself a Broadway Little Christmas is the second performance in the Renaissance’s three-show Ghostlight Cabaret Series, which opened in October with Lisa Fishman’s Dating (And The Search For Love). The series concludes with Adena King on Friday, April 9.
Leah Gesouras’ Have Yourself a Broadway Little Christmas offers three ways to enjoy the evening: classic seating in rows facing the stage starting at $26, relaxed lounge seating on couches and armchairs starting at $17, and standing room starting at $14, the most affordable way to catch the show. Lounge seating offers a more casual, conversational feel, though some spots may have a partially obstructed view of the stage.
The Ghostlight Lounge is located at the Renaissance Theatre, 138 Park Avenue West in Mansfield. Capacity is limited, and advance ticket purchases are encouraged.
Tickets are available through the Renaissance Box Office, Tuesday through Friday from 12:00–5:00 PM, by calling 419-522-2726, or online at rentickets.org.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for Renaissance events and programming. Businesses and organizations interested in supporting the Renaissance while connecting with audiences throughout North Central Ohio may contact Grace Riegel, Development & Executive Affairs Coordinator, at 419-522-2726, ext. 203 or grace@mansfieldtickets.com for more information.
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This article is published in collaboration with the Renaissance Performing Arts Association. For nearly 100 years, the Renaissance has been serving audiences throughout the North Central Ohio - and beyond - delivering top-tier live theatre and broadway performances, youth arts programs and cultural events.