Richard Kagan started writing music 50 years ago at a girls camp in the Pocono Mountains with Marvin Hamlisch. Marvin and Richard remained best friends until Marvin’s death in 2013. He was involved in most of Marvin’s Broadway shows. He co-produced Smile and Goodbye Girl on Broadway (Tony nomination – Best Producer). He was a co-producer for seven other Broadway shows including Leader of the Pack (Tony nomination– Best Producer). In 1989, Richard joined the Board of Directors of Center Theatre Group, one of America’s largest not-for- profit theatre companies. He served as its President for 6 years and Chairman for 3 years. 

Shortly prior to his untimely death, Marvin Hamlisch prodded Richard to start writing music again. At his suggesting, Hal David listened to a song and wrote a lyric (his last). Since then, Michael Jay, a legendary song writer has written many songs with Richard. Some have been played by symphonies, and one song “This Feels Just Like Christmas” performed by a boy band called “Forever in Your Mind” that is on iTunes. The legendary lyricist Don Black recently wrote a lyric to one of Richard’s songs. Richard and Michael Jay created 12 songs for West End star Louise Dearman, that were recorded at Angel Studios in London in April.

Richard always was interested in Latin music and culture. He visited Cuba and was moved meeting amazing musicians and hearing stories of what happened to them during the Cuban Revolution. Thus after many years of percolation comes Havana Music Hall. Mr. Kagan’s music is published by Hakawi Music LLC and his music is represented by Richard Leher, Esq. of Richard Leher Law and Dan Black, Esq. of Greenberg Traurig. Kagan was recently on the Board of Directors for Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatres – a not-for-profit championing new musicals.