“Leading Ladies,” a film shot in Champaign during summer 2009, is premiering at The Art Theater, in downtown Champaign, on Saturday and Sunday.
“It’s a dance musical,” said Brett Hays, who co-produced and was production manager along with his business partner Luke Boyce. “It’s kind of quirky. It has some drama and some comedy elements.”
A major landmark that Champaign natives may recognize in the film is the old Rialto Theater in downtown Champaign. The crew filmed in the Rialto for a couple weeks.
“Most people have never seen the inside of the Rialto Theater,” Hays said. “People native to Champaign were blown away when we filmed there.”
Other recognizable locations include Franklin Middle School, Village Inn Pizza Parlor, Parkland College, the Armory and Allerton Park.
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Hays said the writers and directors used to live in Champaign, and “had intended on coming back to film.”
The film has be screened at many film festivals this year.
“It’s nice to have the first feature film we produced premiere here,” Hays said. He and Boyce own Shatterglass Studios, which is based in Champaign.
“Leading Ladies” showtimes:
The Art Theater, 126 W. Church St., in Champaign
Saturday: 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: 2:30, 5:00 and 7:30 p.m.
