Gregory has previously been seen on Broadway as Seaweed in Hairspray, Dupree in Cry-Baby and Terk in Tarzan.
Other theatre credits include Jackie Wilson in The Jackie Wilson Story, Donkey in Shrek and James "Thunder" Early in the recent national tour of Dreamgirls.
Visit www.ChesterGregory.com for more information.
| Full given name: | Chester Gregory |
| Hometown: | Gary, Indiana |
| Zodiac Sign: | Sagittarius |
| What your parents did/do for a living: | Mom: Teacher Dad: Steel Mill Worker |
| Special skills: | Actor, Artist, Wannabe Food Critic... |
| Something you're REALLY bad at: | Multitasking |
| First Broadway show you ever saw: | In my childhood, I saw many tours of Broadway shows come thru the ChicagoLand area, but one of the first official Broadway shows I ever saw was actually Hairspray. To be in the show a year later was truly a dream come true. |
| If you could go back in time and catch any show, what would it be? | The Wiz |
| Current show you have been recommending to friends: | I think we have a great Broadway season this year, so I would encourage friends to see as many shows as possible. |
| Favorite showtunes of all time: | "So You Wanted To Meet The Wizard" from The Wiz "Steppin' To The Bad Side" from Dreamgirls "They Live In You" from The Lion King |
| Some favorite musicals: | Jesus Christ Superstar, Hairspray, The Wiz, Fela!, Wicked |
| Star of the past you would most have loved to perform with: | Sammy Davis Jr. |
| Your personal vocal idols, living or dead: | Jackie, Donny, Stevie, Bobby Caldwell, Ledisi, Ella, Sarah, Sam Cooke |
| Music that makes you cry, any genre: | The song "They Live In You" gets me every time I hear it. I lost my dad a few years ago but every time I hear that song I am reminded that I am part of him and he lives on through me. Through the lessons he taught me... |
| MAC or PC? | MAC ALL DAY! |
| Most played song on your iPod: | "We Are Here To Change The World" by Michael Jackson |
| Favorite Tweeters: | My followers, fans and friends on Twitter. We tweet daily about random stuff, current events, music and anything that's hilarious. I often draw my inspiration from them. |
| Last book you read: | "The Alchemist" |
| Must-see TV shows: | "Family Guy" "American Dad" "Ancient Aliens" |
| Performer you would drop everything to go see: | Prince |
| Pop culture guilty pleasure: | Anything MAC. Every year I’m one of the first in line for any new Apple product. |
| Three favorite cities: | Portland, Oregon; Chicago, Ilinois; Tokyo, Japan
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| First CD/Tape/LP you owned: | "Thriller" by Michael Jackson |
| Favorite non-theatre musicians/bands/groups: | De La Soul, J Dilla, Lenny Kravitz, Q-Tip |
| First stage kiss: | In high school during a production of The Pajama Game |
| Favorite or most memorable onstage role as a child/teenager: | Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar |
| Moment you knew you wanted to perform for a living: | When I saw Michael Jackson’s "Thriller" |
| How you got your Equity card: | The Jackie Wilson Story |
| Favorite pre-/post- show meal: | Pre-show in Chicago I loved to go to Gino's East for the Spinach Deep Dish Pizza. |
| Favorite liquid refreshment: | Smart Water |
| Pre-show rituals or warm-ups: | Before every show, I take a moment to give thanks. I would not be here had it not been for GOD and those who paved the way before me. I am mindful of that every time before I hit the stage. |
| Most vocally challenging role you have ever played: | Jackie Wilson in The Jackie Wilson Story. In that show I sang 20 songs, 8 shows a week, while doing spins, knee drops and splits. It was very difficult but I had a lot of fun at the same time. I had to, or I would have been dead! LOL! |
| Favorite Whoopi Goldberg movie (not counting Sister Act): | "Jackie's Back!" Though her role was more of a cameo and totally improv'd, I laugh every time I see it! |
| Single favorite song from the Dreamgirls score | "Steppin' To The Bad Side" |
| Worst flubbed line/missed cue/onstage mishap: | One time I was suffering from insomnia while doing a show. I fell asleep in the dressing room and missed my entrance! When I woke up they were paging me over the intercom to rush to the stage! I couldn't believe it actually happened because it was something I had nightmares about! I ran to the stage in time to say my character's name but it was CLEARLY a mishap. Needless to say that moment cured my insomnia! LOL! |
| Worst job you ever had: | Selling fake cologne. Yes, I had one of those jobs! I didn't even last a week! |
| Who would play you in the movie? | Jaden Smith! |
| Something about you that surprises people: | I'm incredibly shy. |
| Career you would want if not a performer: | Teacher |
| Three things you can't live without: | GOD, Music and Food |
| "I'll never understand why…" | ... people expect new results when they keep the same habits. |
| Words of wisdom for aspiring performers? | "An audience is like a pack of hungry wolves. If you give them everything at once, they will devour you. But if you feed them in portions, you remain in control." - Andre DeShields |
