Leslie Odom Jr. Visits Philadelphia City Council Chambers
by Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Broadway star, actor, and singer Leslie Odom Jr. played to another packed house this past week.
This time it was way off-Broadway, after he performed on stage at the big concert July 4th on the Ben Franklin Parkway. It was the Philadelphia City Council Chambers.
The Tony Award-winning performer took photos with many of his old friends from back in the day at the Freedom Theatre and Philadanco.
Then, he credited those mentors with laying the groundwork for his training, starting with an audition for the Broadway hit "Rent," when he was 16.
"And that job led me to Carnegie, and led me to everywhere I've been today. So, it's all been a surprise," he said.
He says they set "a bar of exellence in Philadelphia" that stands up to any.
"If it is good enough in Philadelphia, it is good enough anywhere in the world," said Odom Jr.
Then, there was a poignant moment in council chambers, when Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown made a surprise announcement.
"Every artist starts with a teacher. Leslie was delightfully surprised to see his Masterman Middle School vocal music teacher - he sang in her choir - let's salute his teacher, Gloria Goode," said Brown.