TV: Richard Jay-Alexander Talks Streisand, Chenoweth, Peters & More on Spotlight on the Arts

We noticed earlier this week that an interview on Becon TV was getting some traction. The interview was with director/producer Richard Jay-Alexander, who guested on a panel of South Florida professionals, hosted by Iris Acker.

We reached out to Associate Producer and Director Mark Demeter to see if we could access the interview, who happily complied! BECON TV's mission is to use broadcast television and the most current technologies to develop and deliver quality multi-media instructional, educational and community programming to enhance student achievement and life-long learning.

Iris Acker is very well known as an actress and host to South Florida audiences, and before Spotlight on the Arts, hosted Iris Acker On Stage. She had done a two-parter on Jay-Alexander a few years ago with pretty thorough career coverage and Richard told us that he was very surprised to arrive at the studio and to learn, moments before the panel discussion, that they had chosen a topic - DIVAS.

As he said on the air, "I'm scared." They chose to focus on Barbra Streisand, Kristin Chenoweth and Bernadette Peters, but Richard, of course has also worked such talents as Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ricky Martin, Johnny Mathis, Betty Buckley, Jane Monheit, Donny & Marie, IL VOLO, Polly Bergen, Donna McKechnie, Lillian Montevecchi, Kaye Ballard, Lea Michele, Melora Hardin, Will & Anthony Nunziata, the late Richard Rodney Bennett & Mary Cleere Haran, Nell Carter, Forever Plaid, Andrea McArdle, The Broadway Kids, Sean McDermott, Lea Salonga, Russell Watson, IL DIVO, Debby Boone and done many star-studded benefits for organizations such as The Actors' Fund, Musicares, The Motion Picture & Television Fund, BroadwayCares, GMHC, BroadwayWorld.com, etc.

He is currently in rehearsals with Norm Lewis (Joseph Joubert, Musical Director, also of MOTOWN the Musical) for the American Songbook Series at Lincoln Center on March 8th, Roslyn Kind (Alex Rybeck, Musical Director) for her first appearance in New York in 20 years, which opens at 54 Below on April 6th, with Melissa Errico (Tedd Firth Musical Director) who also next plays 54 Below in April and Kristin Chenoweth on May 3rd at Carnegie Hall (Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Musical Director) for a special presentation entitled 'The Evolution of a Soprano'.

Spotlight on the Arts is Produced by BECON TV, WBEC-TV Channel 63, Fort Lauderdale, Producer: Iris Acker, Associate Producer and Director: Mark Demeter.