Jennifer Leigh Warren to Sing Songs of Bassey; Richard Jay-Alexander Directs

By: Nov. 02, 2010
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Chris Isaacson in association with UPRIGHT CABARET announced the world premiere of Jennifer Leigh Warren starring in "LITTLE WOMAN/BIG VOICE: The Songs of Dame Shirley Bassey," which will make its Los Angeles debut in Spring 2011. Acclaimed Director Richard Jay-Alexander (Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler "Kiss My Brass" Tour, Bernadette Peters) is at the helm.

For over four decades, Dame Shirley Bassey has serenaded audiences world-wide with her unique voice and irrepressible personality. With millions of albums sold, Bassey's song repertoire encompasses many of our most memorable. Songs like "Goldfinger," "Diamonds Are Forever," and "Hey, Big Spender" are forever etched into our minds and into our hearts. This new, unique mix of theatre and concert features Ms. Warren's fresh interpretations of Bassey's legendary songs and promises to guide the audience on a journey of soulful delight.

It's the goal of the producer, Isaacson, in conjunction with the noted director, Jay-Alexander, to create a vehicle for Ms. Warren that can play any number of venues from Symphony Concert Halls and Theatres to clubs all over the world with the elegance and sparkle of the original brilliant performer.

Isaacson stated "Jennifer and I were so excited by Richard's ideas, that it was a ‘no-brainer' for us to work together on this exciting new project!"

ABOUT Richard Jay-Alexander

Richard Jay-Alexander began his theatrical career in 1977 in the original cast of the Broadway play, ZOOT SUIT, appearing thereafter in the original Broadway cast of AMADEUS, which led to his being engaged as Associate Director of the National Touring Companies of that Tony Award-winning Play. He also staged AMADEUS in Santiago, Chile, in Spanish, in which he is fluent. However, he is probably best known for his association with Producer Cameron Mackintosh, having served as Executive Director of Mr. Mackintosh's American company for ten years, running its day-to-day operations in North America. Richard first came to Mr. Mackintosh's attention as stage manager/dance captain of his Broadway revival of OLIVER! and stage manager/assistant director of his Broadway production of SONG & DANCE, which is where he met Bernadette Peters. Shortly thereafter, he became both Associate Director and Executive Producer of the original Broadway, touring and Canadian companies of LES MISERABLES, staging more than a dozen productions of that Musical, reaching around the globe. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA followed, and then MISS SAIGON, for which Richard was Executive Producer for the original Broadway, touring and Canadian companies. He also served as Executive Producer and Associate Director for Broadway's FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE and was Executive Producer of its Grammy-nominated original cast recording.

Richard subsequently produced recordings for Ms. Peters (LIVE FROM Carnegie Hall, RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN, both Grammy-nominated), Johnny Mathis (ON BROADWAY) and Mary Cleere Haran and co-wrote the liner notes for Barbra Streisand's THE MOVIE ALBUM and the DVD boxed set of her first 5 television specials. Richard has written lyrics for several Walt Disney Records projects, including LILO AND STITCH Island Favorites. He was appointed Executive Producer of Playbill Records and helped to launch the label's debut recording, Brian Stokes Mitchell's first solo offering, as well as the re-discovered Betty Buckley recording titled (and recorded in) 1967 and her QUINTESSENCE.

For film, Richard created the musical staging for Sony Classics' BOSSA NOVA, after having appeared in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, ALL THAT JAZZ, and a slew of commercials and soap operas.

Richard directed the off-Broadway play, A SAFE HARBOR FOR ELIZABETH BISHOP, starring Amy Irving, at the Primary Stages Theatre and has worked with some of the world's greatest entertainers, including Bette Midler (KISS MY BRASS Tour), Barbra Streisand (TIMELESS Tour and the most recent STREISAND Tours of the U.S and Europe, also serving as a co-writer), Ricky Martin, Polly Bergen, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Lea Salonga, Sam Harris, Rosie O'Donnell, Hayley Westenra, Mary Cleere Haran, Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker, Will & Anthony Nunziata, Betty Buckley, Johnny Mathis, Debby Boone, Jane Monheit, Lea Michele, Julie Andrews, Russell Watson and Bernadette Peters, the latter two having also been telecast on PBS. He also directed the multi-media extravaganza, STORM, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas and the workshop production of the Broadway-bound musical based on GREAT EXPECTATIONS (starring Cloris Leachman), as well as a number of commercials and videos.


The last two summers have found him at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, where he directed star-studded productions of LES MISERABLES and GUYS & DOLLS, the latter having the distinction of being choreographed by Donna McKechnie. He was recently in the studio with Melissa Errico finishing her highly anticipated Michel Legrand recording and is putting finishing touches on a TV Special and DVD for Bernadette, which was filmed in Australia, and recently celebrated a #1 DVD release of Barbra Streisand's recent appearance at The Village Vanguard, which promoted her latest #1 album, LOVE IS THE ANSWER. He also produced Melora Hardin's debut CD.

He continues his work with Brian Stokes Mitchell in concert and Ms. Peters, helming her BROADWAY BARKS BECAUSE BROADWAY CARES, which sold-out Broadway's Minskoff Theatre and raised money for the organization and Pet Shelters. For Broadwayworld.com he directed Andrea McArdle at JOE'S PUB, STANDING OVATIONS IV - FROM STAGE TO SCREEN AND BACK AGAIN and BROADWAYWORLD ON ICE.

At the end of 2009 Richard found himself in a "dream-come-true" situation. He was asked to direct IDO! IDO! by real-life married couple (and actors) Patrick Page and Paige Davis for The Old Globe in San Diego. He has always been a Schmidt & Jones fan and the first production he ever put his name or mark on had been THE FANTASTICKS. In addition, Mr. Jones attended the premiere.


Richard and Ms. McKechnie are long time friends and he found himself both flattered and thrilled when asked to work on the latest incarnation of MY MUSICAL COMEDY LIFE. The show has played to sold-
out houses since, with a special appearance at The Adelaide Cabaret Festival, when invited by Artistic Director, David Campbell and an extensive Australian Tour.

A native of Syracuse, NY, Richard holds a B.A. in Theatre and Music from SUNY at Oswego and is the recipient of that University's first Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts. He is also a proud Board member of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and has been an active supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Florida. Richard has also taught Master Classes on Theatre, Musical Theatre, Auditioning, Acting in Musicals, Directing and Producing.

He currently shares his residences in Miami, New York and Los Angeles with his perfect dog, JoJo, who isn't the least bit impressed with any of it.

ABOUT Jennifer Leigh Warren

Jennifer Leigh Warren is a chosen favorite of songwriters from Roger Miller, who personally wrote her a show-stopping gospel song for the Broadway musical BIG RIVER, to Bolshoi Ballet composer, Rodion Schredrin, who, after seeing her in Japan, where she performed a gospel song in Japanese, wrote her a song for the first Russian-Japanese-American collaboration of a new musical.

Jennifer was the original Crystal in the Alan Menken/Howard Ashman hit, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and was featured on the Grammy-nominated cast albums of LITTLE SHOP, BIG RIVER as well as Lincoln Center's, MARIE CHRISTINE. Jennifer also sang, "Stranger to the Rain" on the Stephen Schwartz ALBUM. She is an Ovation Award winner and Garland Award winner as Best Featured Actress in a Musical and has a NAACP Theater Award nomination. She garnered rave revues for her performance as Shelia in the REPRISE! production of HAIR, with a special arrangement for her by the great Peter Matz and also for KISMET and MOST HAPPY FELLA. Jennifer played the title role in VENUS, written by Chan Poling, the Minneapolis music legend from the seminal punk rock group, The Suburbs, performed in the Stephen Schwartz concert "Making Good" at the Ford Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, sang at the NAACP Theater Awards and sang a voice over for the TONIGHT SHOW with Conan O'Brien.

Jennifer performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center (Rose Hall) honoring Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Marcia Gaye Harden, Kristen Johnston (host) with Tony Kushner, Spike Lee, Richard Plepler, & Sir Howard Stringer. Directed by Stafford Arima. She also performed at the inauguration concert for Jim Yong Kim the new President of Dartmouth.

Jennifer performed in THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN, a tribute to Motown founder, Berry Gordy, with Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson. In Denmark, Jennifer sang with Al Jarreau on a LIVE TV Special of "Princess & the Black-eyed Pea", which was broadcast throughout Europe. She performed in Sir Peter Hall's Shakespeare repertory at the Ahmanson Theater. She is currently creating a one-woman show celebrating the amazing talent of Sammy Davis, Jr. Her feature film work includes, Garry Marshall's VALENTINES'S DAY, THE OTHER SISTER, GRACE OF MY HEART, GRACE OF MY HEART produced by Martin Scorsese and directed by Allison Anders, Sean Penn's THE CROSSING GUARD, and SOUR GRAPES written and directed by Larry David (CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, SEINFELD). Television appearances include LIPSTICK JUNGLE, DIRT, ER, SCRUBS, THE GAME and ALL MY CHILDREN.

An OVATION AWARD winner, a GARLAND AWARD winner, and a NAACP AWARD nominee Jennifer is a proud graduate of Dartmouth College where she received the Heiman Award for Excellence in the Arts and served for two terms on the Board of Overseers for the Hopkins Center for the Arts and Hood Museum.

Currently, Mrs. Warren is set to play the "Fairy Godmother" opposite Harry Potter star Freddie Stroma in the Lythgoe Family Production of "Cinderella, a Modern Musical Extravaganza" at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, CA on Nov. 27th - Dec. 19th 2010.

ABOUT Chris Isaacson & UPRIGHT CABARET

Chris Isaacson has created, produced and promoted over 450 events since forming his company in 2004. From small clubs to major theatres, Isaacson has produced some of the most influential stars of his generation including Adam Lambert (American Idol), Lea Michele (Glee, Spring Awakening), Neil Patrick Harris (CBS's How I Met Your Mother & ABC's Doogie Howser, M.D.) and more. Isaacson is also creator/founder of LA's renowned Upright Cabaret which has been redefining the cabaret milieu for a new generation of audiences in Los Angeles since 2005.

Upright Cabaret seeks to celebrate old style cabaret while simultaneously turning it on its ear, bringing young Broadway and young Hollywood together in a live setting. Isaacson produces concerts and events under the "Upright Cabaret" banner including the his summer concert series at the Ford Amphitheatre, the successful "American Icon Series" which plays at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, as well as, his critically acclaimed concerts "Shoshana Sings Streisand" starring Shoshana Bean, "Stephen Schwartz: Making Good" featuring Wicked creator/lyricist Stephen Schwartz and "Eden Espinosa: Me" starring Eden Espinosa.

In Aug 2010, Chris Isaacson and Upright Cabaret began a relationship with The Grove in Los Angeles and The Americana at Brand in Glendale. Chris Isaacson produced Summer Concert Series with headlining acts Grammy winners Steve Tyrell, Grammy winner Paula Cole, 3x Grammy Nominee Taylor Dayne and Grammy Nominee Natasha Bedingfield. Broadway veteran Jennifer Leigh Warren, Grammy winning songwriter Matt Morris, Broadway star & Grammy nominee Frenchie Davis and WB's "One Tree Hill" star Tyler Hilton. This concerts were featured on Access Hollywood, Extra, ABC's On The Red Carpet, and KTLA 5 Morning News.

Currently, Mr. Isaacson is producing "It Gets Better: The Concert" to benefit The Trevor Project on Thurs, Nov 11 starring 3x Grammy Nominee Taylor Dayne and "A Cinderella Christmas" with Lythgoe Family Productions to hit the stage at The Americana at Brand in Glendale, CA on Nov 18, 2010. He is also developing Broadway veteran Jennifer Leigh Warren's new project entitled "Little Woman/Big Voice: the songs of Dame Shirley Bassey" with Dir. Richard Jay-Alexander (Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters) set to direct, "Star Search" Grand Champion Jake Simpson, and Broadway star and American Idol semi-finalist Frenchie Davis.

Upright Cabaret is also currently working with the City of West Hollywood to find a permanent home for Upright Cabaret in West Hollywood.

Isaacson is committed to his humanitarian and social causes including The Trevor Project and AIDS Project Los Angeles. Visit Chris Isaacson at www.ChrisIsaacsonPresents.com or www.UprightCabaret.com



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