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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- More than 800 guests gathered at Playhouse Square on Saturday evening for the annual Center Stage Benefit, a signature event supporting Playhouse Square’s mission and its Arts & Minds program in partnership with Cleveland Clinic. The evening began with cocktails and an elegant dinner served on the historic State Theatre stage, followed by dessert and dancing later in the night. The highlight of the evening was a performance in the Connor Palace by Nicole Scherzinger, fresh off her 2025 Tony Award win for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her role as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. Scherzinger wowed the audience with a dazzling set of Broadway favorites, opening with “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and continuing with “I Put a Spell on You” and “Diamonds Are Forever” before delivering a medley of beloved show tunes. Her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence left guests in awe. Adding to the glamour, many attendees embraced the event’s Speakeasy Black Tie theme, donning 1920s-inspired attire complete with pearls, feathered headbands, and fedoras. The combination of vintage elegance, world-class entertainment, and the grandeur of Playhouse Square made the Center Stage Benefit an unforgettable celebration of the performing arts.
