The Diva Whisperer

A conversation with . . .

 Richard Jay-Alexander

and Lee Brian Schrager

Thursday, October 26, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

at the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU

Photo by Henry Perez

“Bringing together A-listers and influencers for thought-provoking conversations.”

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-FIUon 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 https://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.”

Bette Midler & Richard Jay-Alexander

“I never met a theater I couldn’t conquer” — Richard Jay-Alexander

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 Jay-Alexander & Bernadette Peters

Richard Jay-Alexander, Julie Andrews & Cameron Mackintosh (in New York, during rehearsals for Putting it Together at the Manhattan Theatre Club)

“He has been called the

Diva-Whisperer.”

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.

Kristin Chenoweth & Richard Jay-Alexander

A spectacular new series is launching in Miami Beach . . .

More about Richard Jay-Alexander:

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 Amadeusalongside 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.

Portrait of Richard by the artist Robert W. Richards

Richard in South Beach (Circa 1990) singing in the storefront window of Meet Me in Miami

Richard in Havana (1958)

Ricky Martin & Richard Jay-Alexander – Photo by Joan Marcus (Les Miserables on Broadway)

Richard Jay-Alexander, Nell Carter and Lee Brian Schrager

More about Lee Brian Schrager:

Lee Brian Schrager is the Senior Vice President, Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, LLC.

He is widely recognized for his creation of both the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach and New York City Wine & Food Festivals, which together have raised more than $35 million to date for charity.

He is the author of three cookbooks, the most recent of which, America’s Best Breakfasts (Clarkson Potter), was released in April 2016. He is a regular contributor for Ocean Drive magazine and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Pérez Art Museum Miami and Board of Directors for Food Bank For New York City.

Lee Brian Schrager

Shanice, Richard Jay-Alexander & Ruba Wilson

Richard Jay-Alexander, Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler & Toni Basil

Rudy Perez & Richard Jay-Alexander

Richard Jay-Alexander & Lee Brian Schrager

ABOUT THE JEWISH MUSEUM OF FLORIDA-FIU

The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU serves as a major cultural attraction and source of information for a wide audience of residents, tourists, students and scholars of all ages and backgrounds from throughout the state, nation, and the world. Located in a former synagogue that housed Miami Beach’s first Jewish congregation, the museum’s restored 1936 Art Deco building and 1929 original synagogue are both on the National Register of Historic Places. The 301 building features nearly 80 stained glass windows, a copper dome, marble bimah and many Art Deco features including chandeliers and sconces. The Jewish Museum of Florida is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The museum is open Tuesday–Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed on Mondays and holidays. Admission: Adults $6; Seniors $5; Families $12; Members and children under 6 always free; Saturdays-Free. For more information call 305-672-5044 or visit www.jmof.fiu.edu.