Chester Gregory

Chester Gregory
Born Chester Gregory Jr.
(1978-12-10) December 10, 1978
Gary, Indiana
Other names C̤̈Ḧ̤Ë̤S̤̈S̤̈
Occupation Actor, singer, songwriter
Years active 1996-Present

Chester Gregory, also known as CHΞSS (born December 10, 1978), is an American actor, singer and songwriter from Gary, Indiana. His breakthrough came with his portrayal of Jackie Wilson in The Jackie Wilson Story, which led to his Broadway debut as Seaweed in Hairspray. Gregory's other credits include principal roles in Tarzan, Cry-Baby, Dreamgirls and Sister Act. Gregory produced and starred in a look into the life of Jackie Wilson in The Eve of Jackie. Gregory has received numerous awards including the Joseph Jefferson and NAACP Theatre Award.

Aside from acting, Gregory worked on numerous albums and mixtapes before releasing In Search of High Love.

Early life and education

Chester Gregory, Jr. was born in Gary, Indiana on December 10, 1978 to steel mill worker, Chester Gregory, Sr., and school teacher, Edith Gregory. Growing up in the same hometown as Michael Jackson inspired Gregory to become an artist.

After years of performing in local talent shows and workshops for young performers, Gregory auditioned for the Emerson School for Visual and Performing Arts. His first two attempts were unsuccessful, but he was accepted on his third by the time he reached high school.

He progressed to Columbia College Chicago, where he majored in Musical Theatre. Shortly before graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Gregory earned the leading role as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. The production was co-directed by David Cromer.

After graduating, Gregory began teaching acting classes and directing several productions at East Chicago Central High School and Indiana University Northwest.

Career

Acting career

Gregory landed the lead role in Chicago's Black Ensemble Theatre's production of The Jackie Wilson Story, for which he received major acclaim. The Jackie Wilson Story culminated at New York's Apollo Theater and received rave reviews from the New York Times, which reported: "There is essentially one reason – and it's a very good one – to see The Jackie Wilson Story, and that is the star: Chester Gregory."

This award-winning role gave him the opportunity to sing for the legendary "King of Pop," Michael Jackson, in 2003. Jackson gave Gregory a standing ovation for his performance that night, and a week later Gregory booked his debut Broadway role as Seaweed in the Tony Award Winning musical Hairspray.

In the spring of 2013, Gregory produced his own show titled The Eve of Jackie. Premiering in New York, Gregory performed to a sold-out audience at 54 Below, before bringing the show to Chicago's Black Ensemble Theater for a sold out premiere. That summer, his production was selected to headline The National Black Theatre Festival. To date, Gregory continues to perform his one-man show The Eve of Jackie to sold out audiences across the country.

Recording career

Gregory, who records under his artist name CHΞSS, has spent much of his career in the studio. He has worked with artists such as Phil Collins (Tarzan), Marc Shaiman (Hairspray and Catch Me If You Can) and Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls). For his album, In Search of High Love, he worked with industry greats including PJ Morton and Eric Roberson. For his mixtapes and other projects, he has collaborated with Ledisi, Dot Da Genius, Dave Tozer, 88-Keys, 9th Wonder, Cory Henry, and Chance The Rapper

Stage Credits

Year Title Role Theater Notes
2003 Hairspray Seaweed [1] Neil Simon Theatre Broadway Debut
2006 Tarzan Terk [2] Richard Rodgers Theatre
2008 Shrek the Musical Donkey [3] 5th Avenue Theatre Seattle Pre-Broadway Try-out
2008 Cry Baby Dupree [4] Marquis Theatre
2009 Dreamgirls James "Thunder" Early Various (National Tour)
2011 Sister Act Eddie Souther [5] Broadway Theatre Reprised the role on the 2012 National Tour
2014 Motown: The Musical Berry Gordy Nederlander Theatre Replacement Barry on the original National Tour

Reprised the role on Broadway in 2016 and again on the second National Tour

References

  1. ↑ Jones, Kenneth (June 17, 2003). "Run and Tell That: Newcomer Chester Gregory II To Be Seaweed in Hairspray". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2004. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  2. ↑ Brantley, Ben (May 11, 2006). "Tarzan Arrives on Broadway, Airborne". The New York Times. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Chester Gregory | In Search of High Love". CD Baby. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Chester Gregory Theatre Credits". Broadway World. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  5. ↑ Hetrick, Adam (February 1, 2011). "Victoria Clark, Fred Applegate, Chester Gregory Will Be Part of Broadway's 'Sister Act'". Playbill.com. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
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