Alexandria — The madness and mayhem, not to mention the meat pies, were the theme of the night as Brooke Curran and ACT's Running Brooke Fund raised more than $7,500 for local charities including ACTion Alexandria, Community Lodgings, The Reading Connection, Child and Family Network Centers and Girls on the Run at a special benefit performance of “Sweeney Todd” Aug. 7 at The Little Theatre of Alexandria.

“This is an incredible cause,” said Elizabeth Luchessi, a Running Brooke Fund supporter and sponsor of the LTA performance. “It's really great seeing the traction that Brooke is getting and all the impact she is having on the community.”

In attendance were representatives from Curran's beneficiary organizations, including Community Lodgings executive director Bonnie Baxley.

“We are so grateful to Brooke for all she has done to support us,” Baxley said.

Curran has committed to running marathons in all 50 states and on each continent in her efforts to raise awareness and funds for ACT and her designated charities. She recently braved the “summer” conditions of mud, sleet and snow to win the Antarctica Marathon women's race in March and has completed races in 33 states, the District of Columbia and six of the seven continents.

“I can't thank everyone enough for their support,” said Curran, who has already raised more than $150,000 for local charities since founding the RunningBrooke Fund in May of 2009. “These are incredible organizations and I am especially grateful to my sponsors for helping me support their efforts in our community.”

For more information about the RunningBrooke Fund, visit runningbrooke.com.