Jeffrey Lesser resides in Palm Springs, California, after relocating there from Philadelphia. In Philadelphia he was the founding director of the non-profit theatre company Center City Theatre Works, where he directed Michael Cristofer’s The Shadow Box. He directed and musical directed Marvin Hamlisch’s They’re Playing Our Song, Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, as well as several other productions. He has musical directed shows such as Company, 9 to 5, and Head Over Heels. 

He was the assistant director, and on the staff of the world premiere of the opera The Sparks Fly Upward by composer Cathy Lesser Mansfield in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2008. 

Jeff is the founder and director of The Coachella Valley Cabaret Performance Class previously teaching the class for 11 years in Philadelphia. He has directed numerous cabaret showcases in both Philadelphia and Palm Springs and has served as accompanist for several local artists. As a performer, he played the role of Nathan in the national touring company of Old Jews Telling Jokes on the East coast and then reprised his role in both the Los Angeles and Palm Desert companies. 

He has appeared in several musicals including Company and Souvenir as well as his own cabaret shows in such New York City cabaret rooms as Don’t Tell Mama and The Duplex, and in Philadelphia in several venues. He performed his solo cabaret show Life Upon a Wicked Stage at the Arthur Newman Theater in Palm Desert. Jeff has formed an amazing partnership with cabaret performer Leslie Tinnaro performing many shows including their hit cabaret show I’m Nothing Without You at Michael Feinstein’s cabaret room in Los Angeles and two sold-out shows in Palm Desert.