EXCLUSIVE: Richard Jay-Alexander Talks P'town: Well-Strung, Roslyn Kind & Deborah Voigt

"If you had told me just a year ago that 3 shows I was a part of would be playing Provincetown this summer, I would have not believed you."

Those were the first words out of Richard Jay-Alexander's mouth when asked how the summer was planned. He is as surprised as anyone and has stories about each ACT.

WELL-STRUNG:

About a year ago, I met Mark Cortale, who I like to call the "Unofficial Mayor of Provincetown." I liked him very much and he wasn't your usual Promoter / Producer type and I was taking notice of all the people he was presenting, not just in Provincetown, but across the country. Particularly his brilliant series with Seth Rudetsky and Special Guests (GREAT Special Guests, by the way). I liked him so much that I asked him for Well-Strung for a line-up Gala Opening of the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, in Orlando. I had never seen them, but had heard about them.

Mark invited me to see them in P'town and I flipped for the guys and their talent, but felt they could do more. That is a very vain statement, and I am aware of that. Nonetheless, it's what I felt. We went to work on a brand new number for them, for Orlando, and they nailed it and nearly stole the show. I was thrilled, they were thrilled and we decided to commit to working together. And, boy, am I glad I did. I have thoroughly enjoyed them and this is our FIRST new show together, SUMMER LOVIN'. We've all been happy with the audience response and THE BOYS (as I call them) - Founding Member, Christopher Marchant, Trevor Wadleigh, Daniel Shevlin and Edmund Bagnell work as hard as any artists I have ever worked with. They are not CASUAL about their abilities OR their looks.

They are serious and work and work and polish and hone and everything you would hope for when rehearsing and building something new. We work very hard and have great support from Cortale and his team, as well as Broadway notables Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Kevin Stites. We also laugh a lot. As for the monster success of CHELSEA'S MOM, it's all theirs and I couldn't be happier about the fact that it went viral OR the unbelievable coincidence that HILLARY CLINTON would be in town for a private fundraiser the very week we were opening the show. It was a TRIP to watch they boys during that week. No sooner did the show open, that we have already begun work on our next venture together: A WELL-STRUNG CHRISTMAS. Yes, you read that correctly and I'm pretty excited about it. I feel like it's THEIR TIME and I'm thrilled to be a part of what is happening with them.

They have a new album that drops in the Fall, POPSSICAL, but you can get it if you come see them live. They are "in residence" at The Art House in P'town all summer, but check the schedules because they "satellite out" for concerts and appearances, like an upcoming RSVP cruise. By all means come see them. They grow, exponentially, nightly, working with the crowds and the audiences. They are certainly skillful and wildly entertaining. Oh, yeah, and they're not too tough on the eyes, either. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.

ROSLYN KIND:

Roslyn, as most of you know, is Barbra Streisand's sister. I've known her through the years, but only while touring with Barbra and Jason Gould and Chris Botti, did I really get to know her. The voice is unique and unmistakable, all at the same time.

She hadn't sung in New York for years, so we talked and decided to put a new show together. This show is BRAND NEW. If you think you've seen Rozzie, think again and give us a shot. The other thing I loved about working on this show is that this is the first time I worked with the extraordinary Alex Rybeck. I have seen him over the years, working with just about every artist and director, but we had, somehow, never gotten together. This was a match made in heaven and he's there with us this weekend, with his trio and Roz. The show is fun and has some beautiful music and some surprising material as well. There are two shows this weekend at The Art House. Check the schedule. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.

DEBORAH VOIGT:

So, this is gonna be VERY EXCITING for me, as I did not know that Mark Cortale was classically trained. So to introduce him to Debbie is gonna be a thrill for me. DEBORAH VOIGT: VOIGT LESSONS is quite an extraordinary piece. It was originally developed at Glimmerglass by Ms. Voigt, playwright Terrence McNally and director Francesca Zambello. The musical direction was then, and is now, by Kevin Stites. I am the new addition to the family here and I love this piece. Debbie breaks all the rules, both as star and human being and the range of types of music in this piece, run the gamut. But her story is insanely captivating (as in, "you can't make this shit up!") In an unexpected way, it's the perfect companion piece to her recently released autobiography CALL ME DEBBIE. Shake the word "DIVA" from your brain, as you enter the theatre ..... because you are in for quite a ride. I know that THIS show is the one that's the "mystery" to the person looking at the poster, but, trust me (and my niece - who was blown away) this is the real deal. We are THRILLED that Mark chose to add VOIGT LESSONS to the roster of his SHARK WEEK summer of stars! CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

As for MARK CORTALE, just look at what and who he is presenting this summer. For me, to be a part of his line-up and under his banner, was the most unexpected part of 2015. It's also been great to have my "right hand man" involved, as always, Matt Berman, the most amazing lighting and sound designer anyone could wish for. I'll have to write a story when it's over called: HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION - Provincetown 2015 Edition.

See ya at The Art House, Folks!!!

We'll all be there. Come say "Hello"