Get to know James:
James began his theatrical career in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After moving to Southern California in the early 2000s, he quickly realized a multitude of successes. James has performed and worked regionally for such companies as Disney, Universal, Cedar Fair, Fremantle Media, The Hollywood Bowl among others. He has also enjoyed traveling and performing in London, Scotland and Japan.
James continues to enjoy touring and performing; having most recently been seen touring the USA and Canada as the Producer and Announcer for The Price is Right Live! from 2018 - present. Other notable appearances have been in commercials and voice overs for Disney and Cedar Fair.
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Mr. Gruessing has well over 40 theatre credits to his name with roles in such shows as Hairspray, Les Miserables, Guys and Dolls, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Drowsy Chaperone, Hello Dolly!, She Loves Me, 42nd Street and an impressive 8-year-run as The Genie in Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular.
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Resume Highlights
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NATIONAL TOURS
The Price is Right LIVE! Announcer (2018-Present) Fremantle
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Santa Claus Right Angle Ent
REGIONAL (sampling)
Hairspray Edna Turnblad Laguna Playhouse
Hairspray Edna Turnblad Performance Riverside
Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular The Genie Disney California Adventure
Young Frankenstein The Monster Performance Riverside
The Producers Franz Liebkind Cabrillo and Norris Theatre
Drowsy Chaperone Mr. Feldzieg 3D Theatricals
Les Miserables M. Thenardier Moonlight Stage Productions
Guys & Dolls Nicely-Nicely Johnson Moonlight Stage Productions
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Cogsworth Cabrillo Music Theatre
Guys & Dolls Big Jule Downey Civic Light Opera
Anything Goes Captain Musical Theatre West
Hello Dolly! Rudolph Reisenweber Downey Civic Light Opera
Never Gonna Dance Major Bowes Musical Theatre West
Good News! Beef Saunders Downey Civic Light Opera
Bye, Bye Birdie Harry MacAfee Huntington Beach Playhouse
She Loves Me Headwaiter Musical Theatre West
42nd Street Bert Barry Candlelight Pavilion
Annie Get Your Gun Buffalo Bill Cody Candlelight Pavilion
1776 Richard Henry Lee Norris Theatre
Cabaret Cliff Bradshaw Huntington Beach Playhouse
Bye, Bye Birdie Albert Peterson Musical Theater Southwest
Theme Parks:
Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular The Genie Disney California Adventure
Frozen Sing Along Erik Disney California Adventure
Laughing Stock Company Mayor/Sally/Clem Disneyland
Castle Fantasy Faire Mr. Smythe Disneyland
Citizens of Buena Vista Street Calvin Disney California Adventure
A Christmas Fantasy Parade 06-12 Santa Claus Disneyland
Harborside Christmas Santa Claus Tokyo Disney Sea
The Flintstones Fred Flintstone Universal Studios Hollywood
Knott’s “Taste Of” Events Performer/Radio Personality Knott's Berry Farm
It’s Christmas Snoopy! On Ice Announcer Knott's Berry Farm
Boysenberry Bedlam: A Melodrama Malcott Malicious Knott's Berry Farm
Ghost Town Alive! Col. Clem Potter Knott's Berry Farm
Knott’s Saloon Show Dakota Dan Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Sumer Nights Duncan Disorderly Knott's Berry Farm
Voice Over Work
Faith Comes By Hearing Various Characters Hosanna Records
Frozen Sing-a-long Celebration Royal Announcer Disney
Various Theater Commercials Hero Voice Over Palos Verdes Performing Arts
A Christmas Kiss Goodnight Santa Claus Disney California Adventure
The Hanging Multiple Characters/Multiple Years Knott's Scary Farm
K-Not Radio Approx. 20 Different Characters Cedar Fair Entertainment
Knott's Bear-y Tales Attraction Officer Logan Beary Knott's Berry Farm
Click here to see Performance Resume
