Celebrating the 100-Year History of the American Musical
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About Chad Gerlt
Chad has always enjoyed hamming it up on stage. He fell in love with musical comedy when his dear ole mom took him to see WEST SIDE STORY at an early age. His first role in a musical was the 8th grade when he played a Nazi in one scene and in another scene he was the Priest who married the Von Trapps in THE SOUND OF MUSIC (he was too tall for the role of Kurt).

Chad did, however, land many lead roles throughout high school and college, but his professional career in musical theater really began when he became a singing waiter at the Macaroni Grill in Kansas City (he also worked part-time building sets for the New Theatre Restaurant, next door).  While singing at "The Grill", Chad's specialty was showtunes. He sang everything from Les Miz to La Mancha. His most famous song, however, was Cry, from FOREVER PLAID, which he belted out at the top of his lungs while standing on a chair. Crowds loved it, and he had a knack for doing impressions of different singers and singing styles with his voice.

This all led him to Los Angeles, where he pursued a career in voiceovers. While there, he had some mild success, but continued to work as a singing waiter at the Macaroni Grill, where he met and performed regularly for many celebrities, including: Heather Locklear, Hugh Grant, Elizabeth Hurley, Jada Pinket Smith, Marion Ross, to name a few. Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora were his regular customers, and would frequently bring their friends and family to come hear him sing!

Even though he loved living in California, Chad wanted to come home and buy a house. He also missed his family and lifelong friends. So after 5 years in LA, he moved back to Kansas City and teamed up with his good old pal Nathan Granner, and radio host George Harter. The three of them decided to take George's radio show concept and start producing musicals in front of a live audience at the Belger Arts Center in the Crossroads, Kansas City.

Which leads to today. Chad's "official" title with MTH is Marketing Director & Associate Producer, but he does much more than that. Other roles at MTH include: Development Director (grant writing), Sales Director, Production Coordinator, Graphic Design, Managing Director, Accountant, Technical Support, Website Administrator, New York Guide, Singer, and Schmoozer (yes that's a job!) Chad used to have the job of emptying the trash too, but not since they moved their office to the West Bottoms.

Chad considers himself one of the luckiest guys in the world to be able to do what he loves - produce musical theater and bring a smile to an audience. He and George have now produced over 40 musical events in Kansas City (as of 2010), and he looks forward to many more to come.