Director/Producer Richard Jay-Alexander to Chat Show Business Career in Miami Beach

He has been called the "Diva Whisperer" for his legendary success directing and producing some of the world's most beloved stars, including Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Julie Andrews, Kristin Chenoweth, and more.

Miami Beach welcomes renowned director/producer Richard Jay-Alexander for a no-holds-barred evening, launching the new series called "A conversation with . . ." The inaugural event features Richard alongside his friend of 30 years, Lee Brian Schrager, at the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU on Thursday, October 26, from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Richard's 42-year career in show business, Broadway, and television, means the event promises a singular and memorable experience for South Florida audiences. At the October 26 event the audience will be invited to participate in a question-and-answer session with Richard and Lee (who are promising some surprises).

Reservations required, for tickets call 786-972-3175 or to order online visit secure.qgiv.com/for/jmoffiu/event/786238. The museum is located in the heart of Miami Beach's historic Art Deco District, at 301 Washington Ave. Admission for non members is $25. Free admission for museum members (at the $125 membership level and above - all other museum members $18), and free admission to FIU Students with valid ID. Some of the upcoming A-listers for this new series at the museum will include Hollywood's Brett Ratner and Billy Corben, both slated for January.

"Our new season is a real game-changer, as we continue to redefine the role of the museum for the 21st century," said Susan Gladstone, the Director of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. "Our audiences are growing and they are helping to define this community destination in transformative ways, as a place where new and different experiences shape the cultural landscape."

He has has produced and directed major shows in just about every venue in the world, including Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House and endless nightclubs, concert halls and stadiums, and national television specials on PBS.

Richard recently co-directed (along with Ms. Streisand), Barbra's most recent tour: THE MUSIC ... THE MEM'RIES ... THE MAGIC, which was filmed in Miami at the American Airlines Arena and will premiere for streaming on NETFLIX later this year.

Richard proudly serves on the Executive Board of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and is passionate about animals, especially adoption and no-kill shelters.

He makes South Florida his home and has lived here for the past 25 years, while traveling hopping the globe, working.

The first event for this new series also features Lee Brian Schrager, Festival Director and Executive Director of Food Network/Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

Lee will interview Richard on stage and the two raconteurs are planning some special surprises for the audience that evening.

Richard Jay-Alexander celebrates 42 years in show business, having moved to New York City in the fall of 1975. He started as an actor/singer/ dancer and made his Broadway debut in the Luis Valdez play Zoot Suit which opened at the Winter Garden Theatre in 1979. He was also in the Original Broadway Cast of Amadeus alongside Ian McKellen and Tim Curry, and worked on Song and Dance with Bernadette Peters and the revival of OLIVER! with Ron Moody and Patti LuPone.

He is widely known for his 12 years working with Cameron Mackintosh, as Executive Director of his North American Company and staged eleven productions of Les Miserables, as well as serving as Executive Producer for The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Five Guys Named Moe, and Stephen Sondheim's Putting it Together, which starred Julie Andrews, presented at The Manhattan Theater Club.

He entered the recording industry via cast albums and has worked with some of the greatest artists in the world today, both in the studio and on concert stages. Those artists include Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Ricky Martin, Lea Salonga, Bernadette Peters, Kristin Chenoweth, Betty Buckley, Donny & Marie, Johnny Mathis, Il Divo, Il Volo, Lea Michele, Norm Lewis, Brian Stokes-Mitchell, Deborah Voigt, and the late Polly Bergen among them.

Richard has also done a number of television commercials, music videos, film work, awards shows, benefits and PBS specials, working in just about every venue in the world, including Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House and endless nightclubs, concert halls and stadiums. He proudly serves on the Executive Board of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and is passionate about animals, especially adoption and no-kill shelters.

He makes Miami Beach his home and has lived here for the past 25 years, while traveling hopping the globe, working. Richard is of Latin descent (his Mom was Cuban and his Dad Spanish American) He just finished directing the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, LA MUSA Awards, founded by Desmond Child and Rudy Perez, celebrating their 5th year, which was filmed and will be televised later this season.

Richard also co-directed (with Ms. Streisand), Barbra's recent tour: THE MUSIC ... THE MEM'RIES ... THE MAGIC, which was filmed in Miami at the American Airlines Arena and will be available for streaming on NETFLIX later this year.

Photo by Henry Perez