Richard Jay-Alexander to Receive LGBT Unity Coalition Award Tomorrow

Richard Jay-Alexander, known for helming concerts for Broadway superstars Barbra Streisand and Kristin Chenoweth among others, will be honored tomorrow, Wednesday, April 9 with a Legends Honor arts award from Unity Coalition, at the LGBT group's annual Leaders, Legends & Lovelies Ball, according to the Miami Herald.

"I support the arts. I go to things. Not just the big touring shows. I go to the little companies. I'll go into the Design District. I'll go see stuff at the little theater at the Arsht. I'm interested," Jay-Alexander told the publication. "I am a busman's holiday. So when people say, 'What do you do to relax?' It's not like I have a coin collection or I go fishing. I'm reading a script or listening to a new musical. Or catching up on a singer. I love pop culture."

Jay-Alexander's talents have translated to the stage - empowering the performers he often works with.

"He has given me confidence, and has complete and utter belief in my talent," Chenoweth said. "I have complete and utter confidence in him and his gifts."

Jay-Alexander (born Richard Alexander Fernandez) is enjoying a 39-year career that has encompassed just about every kind of job and position one could experience in the entertainment field. He is one of those rare individuals who got to work in the arts, having studied theatre, music and opera and has unique accomplishments which have taken him all over the world and onto every kind of stage, arena, nightclub, venue or studio.

Richard began as an actor, singer and dancer. He made his Broadway debut in 1978 in ZOOT SUIT, written and directed by Luis Valdez, at the Winter Garden Theater. Next, he was in the Original Broadway Cast of AMADEUS and quickly came a career matriculation into Directing and Producing.

He is synonymous with such blockbusters as LES MISERABLES, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, MISS SAIGON and many others, having also run British Mega-Producer, Cameron Mackintosh's American company for over a decade.

Richard has directed and/or produced for television, film, videos, commercials, many Grammy nominated recordings and sometimes even still choreographs, when called upon. He has worked with many of the greatest stars of our time, including Barbra Streisand, Bernadette Peters, Kristin Chenoweth, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Russell Watson, Lea Salonga, Bette Midler, Sam Harris, IL VOLO, IL DIVO, Chris Botti, Natalie Cole, Johnny Mathis, Betty Buckley, Sir Ian McKellen and many more. After years of living between New York, Los Angeles and Miami, he now makes Miami his home.

Richard Jay (as he is known) loves talent and holds an unparalleled track record for discovering new and young talent. Among his many "finds" would be a young Lea Michele. He has also been the guy who gives people their first jobs or "breaks" as they are called. He continues to work steadily and is always excited by new opportunities and people with ideas.