Michael Gruber (actor)


Michael Thomas Gruber is an American actor. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the youngest of four children, two sisters and one brother. At an early age, Michael showed great interest in gymnastics and diving. He became the 2nd best diver in his age class in the world at the age of fourteen.
Michael was an All-American diver who graduated from Indian Hill High School in 1982 and attended the University of Michigan on an athletic scholarship as an Olympic diving hopeful training under then Olympic coach Dick Kimball.
His passion was acting and he decided to study theatre at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He made his Broadway debut in the final company of A Chorus Line, 1989-90.
Michael is a composer and co-lyricist, with long-time collaborator Jennifer Allen, of three musicals: The Old Dead Five, Vegas Organic and Hit It, Mike!. He has also composed music for poems, currently working on a series set to children's poetry.
Michael has performed the roles of Munkustrap both on Broadway and in the Cats video. He quotes regarding the Cats video, "It is sort of the signature of my career."

Broadway credits

A Chorus Line revival 2007
Laughing Room Only 2003

Kiss Me, Kate Hortensio 2001

Swing! Original cast member 1999-2000

CATS Munkustrap 1996-1999, periodically left to do other shows

My Favorite Year Original Company Ensemble 1992-1993

Miss Saigon Original cast member. Periodically left to do other shows Ensemble 1991-1994

A Chorus Line Final Company Mike 1989-1990

National tours

West Side Story US and European Tours Riff US tour 1990

A Chorus Line 2008 National tour - Zach

Off-Broadway shows

The Wizard of Oz The Theatre at Madison Square Garden The Tin Man/Hickory 1997

Regional shows

Irving Berlin's Easter Parade - Chanhassen Theatres, Chanhassen, MN - Don Hewes - World Premier - 2007
Irving Berlin's White Christmas - 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle and California Musical Theatre, Sacramento and The Hobby Center, Houston - Bob Wallace - 2006-2008
My One and Only - Reprise!, Los Angeles - Billy Buck - 2006
Godspell - Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia - Jesus - 2006

Singin' in the Rain - 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle - Don Lockwood - 2005

Singin' in the Rain - California Musical Theatre, Sacramento - Don Lockwood - 2005

What a Glorious Feeling - Saugatuck, MI - Stanley Donen - 2005 - World Premier

White Christmas - Wang Theatre, Boston - Phil Davis - 2005

Anything Goes Stratford Festival of Canada Billy Crocker 2004

Singin' in the Rain Houston's Theatre Under The Stars Don Lockwood 2004

Crazy For You PCPA-CA Bobby Child 2003

Anything Goes FL Billy Crocker 2003

Dames at Sea Goodspeed Opera House-CT Lucky 2002

Smokey Joe's Cafe Sacramento, CA 2002

Red Hot and Blue Paper Mill Playhouse Fingers 2001

Singin' in the Rain Music Theatre of Wichita Don Lockwood 2000

Anything Goes 5th Avenue Theatre-Seattle Billy Crocker 2000

The Who's Tommy DE, CT, MA, IL Cousin Kevin 1999

Follies Papermill Playhouse Young Ben 1998

Oklahoma! Phoenix & Tucson, AZ Jud Fry 1995

Kiss Me, Kate Goodspeed Opera House-CT Bill/Lucentio 1994

West Side Story
Singin' in the Rain Papermill Playhouse Don Lockwood 1994

Music Theatre of Wichita Riff 1994

Good News! Music Theatre of Wichita Tom Marlowe 1993

Falsettos Alliance Theatre-Atlanta, GA Whizzer 1993

Singin' in the Rain Sacramento, CA Don Lockwood 1993

Anything Goes Music Theatre of Wichita Billy Crocker 1993

Singin' in the Rain Music Theatre of Wichita Don Lockwood 1992

Readings / Workshops:

Taboo 2003

Sammy Cahn 2003

Films

Cats Munkustrap Filmed 1997, released 1998

Recordings

Singin' in the Rain Jay Records

Follies TVT Soundtrax

The Most Happy Fella Jay Records

My Favorite Year BMG Classics

Good News! Jay Records

Swing! Sony Classics

Wonderful Town Jay Records -

Carols For A Cure 2001 Rock-It Science Records
For complete and accurate information visit Michael's official website