Richard Jay-Alexander News

It's Barbra Streisand's birthday and BroadwayWorld wanted to do something special to acknowledge it, so I think we think we've got that BOX checked, celebrating an absolutely singular career and giving you a glimpse into some remarkable history.

ENTER Colin O'Leary. You may not know his name, but you have certainly come across his insanely brilliant videos, while journeying online via the internet. They gained huge notoriety for the madness of watching a young man, totally possessed by Musical Theatre, trapped in the passenger seat of a car, jumping from character to character, song bite to song bite, complete with props, costumes, wig changes, make-up .... even smoke effects. Meanwhile, in the driver's seat, his mother (his real-life Mom) non-plussed and deadpan. I don't' even know how she did it.

Bob has a new book just released, titled DANCING MAN: A Broadway Choreographer's Journey, written with Tom Santopietro, no lightweight himself, a member of our industry and a longtime friend. And, as you'll learn, Peter Pileski, Avian's husband and partner for 35 years, right there, with guidance, support and plenty of suggestions.

'This is a very special episode of Broadway Rewind', says BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge. 'I was  joined by award-winning director Richard Jay-Alexander as my co-host, for the opening night celebration for the Abba musical Mamma Mia!, which opened on Broadway on October 18th, 2001 right after 9/11. The musical enjoyed an amazing 14 year run on Broadway.  It's a wonderful episode which features just about everyone connected to the musical. Enjoy'.

A Wonderful World, a new musical based on the life and songs of jazz legend and American icon Louis Armstrong, played its final preview at the Colony Theatre last night, March 13. The show was set to open tonight, but due to concerns regarding COVID-19, the opening performance has been cancelled.

Today's top stories: My Name is Lucy Barton officially opens tonight, and more!

Last Thursday, we noticed that an engagement was quietly added to the schedule of London's famed The Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zedel. The announcement was for a debut of Amy Shaughnessy, directed by Richard Jay-Alexander. We knew nothing about it, so, since both are friends of BroadwayWorld, we reached out.

They were the highly awaited Christmas TV Specials. The Perry Como Christmas Show directed by Dwight Hemion and the Dean Martin Christmas Specials directed by Greg Garrison. These evenings had a more casual party atmosphere than the star's regular shows with some well placed poignant moments to celebrate the season. You could also count on some extraordinary guests to make an appearance. Well, flash (or sleigh ride) forward.

Deck the halls, trim the tree, and spin the dreidel. BroadwayWorld is continuing our tradition of celebrating the holiday season with a 12 Days of Christmas countdown. This year we've invited the incomparable Norm Lewis to share his favorite holiday performances. Check out Norm's full list of selections

I would be remiss if I did not include this angel in my 12 Days Of Christmas choices. Yes, the singular voice of Karen Carpenter. Arguably the most perfect pop voice of all time. Effortless. Full of pathos. Perfect. I remember hearing her beautiful voice ringing throughout our house during the holiday season. It always made me feel like I was being wrapped by a warm blanket whenever she sang.

'On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...' the opportunity to share some real joy with you, from my heart. I'd be crazy not to include this video in my choices of 12, on the penultimate day of this fun feature from BroadwayWorld. Yes... it's ME! Last year, my first ever Christmas album was released and this was truly a dream I had fantasized for quite a while, coming to fruition. Richard Jay-Alexander and I produced it (during August), like most holiday albums, and Richard played me this song written by Jay Landers and Walter Afanasieff. He insisted we had to do it and I certainly loved it, but wasn't sure I had the right voice for it. Walter, of course, wrote and produced 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' with Mariah Carey and, now, here was a song written by the same guy, this time with Jay Landers.

Beloved Broadway star Norm Lewis continues a growing tradition of celebrating the holidays in the best of ways at Feinstein's/54 Below to capacity houses filled with fans who would do anything to NOT miss this show.

On Day 9, I am thinking of all the holiday movies that were on television and in our homes every single year. WHITE CHRISTMAS was always one of my favorites. I was in awe of the costumes, the dancing, the singing, the story of love and romance and also seeing everyone pull together to put on a grand show. And the reveal of the soldiers and snow actually falling at the end never failed to fill my heart... no matter how many times I saw it!

I had a blast curating BroadwayWorld's 12 Days of Christmas. It went by so fast... and now, Christmas is here! This song is 25 years old and I wanna GIVE IT UP for our girl, Mariah Carey, because this year, her song FINALLY made it to #1 on the Billboard Charts. I say , a?oeIt was worth the wait, Mariah.a?? It already was a classic but, now, the deal is sealed... in history!

OK...this just makes me HAPPY! In junior high school I found a new Christmas Song I love to play every year. I'm even smiling as I write this :)

This song always reminds me of my father. He Loved B.B. King and this was always on rotation with our many Christmas albums. I found this rare live performance of the legend doing his version that is so embedded in my heart.

On this sixth day of the 12 days of Christmas, I need to thank BroadwayWorld, Robert Diamond and Nicole Rosky for asking me to curate this year's edition. I never dreamed it would be so much fun and bring back so many memories of holiday seasons past. Here's an iconic group, The Temptations, singing 'Silent Night.' We had many albums in our home by the legendary Motown group, but this one was definitely played over and over during the holidays. I immediately flash to my high school and college years when I hear it. Magic.

I loved cartoons on Saturday mornings growing up, but I looked forward to watching them in primetime during the holidays. Some of my favorites were Frosty, Rudolph, The Little Drummer Boy, and A Charlie Brown Christmas (especially the dance and Linus' speech). Even though they were the same stories told over and over again, I was riveted every year. I guess because in my mind both the fictional stories and the religious stories were all real to me. I loved the music and would sing along with so much joy.

Tomorrow night, December 17th, Norm Lewis opens the latest incarnation of his holiday residency, titled NAUGHTY AND NICE, at Feinstein's 54 Below. This is his 5th consecutive year and looks to be a sellout, as always. It's always a highlight of the holiday season and you can expect a lot of new music this year, as they've dug deep to celebrate the 5th year.

I love Vanessa Williamsa?? but who doesn't? She's a singular woman with an equally singular career and we have worked together on the stage and in film and always have a great time. She's incredibly beautiful, wildly intelligent, supremely talented, and... she's a great mom. She has recorded many albums and topped the charts with some unforgettable singles but many people aren't aware of a beautiful Christmas album she recorded, titled 'Star Bright'. I love the album and love this particular cut and video.