James Scheider

James Scheider is an actor-musician, music director, and composer/arranger based in Manhattan. He originated the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in the 2006 premiere reading of Million Dollar Quartet at Village Theatre and in addition to playing the role in the Chicago cast, pre-Broadway, he also played the role on the 1st National Tour. James made his Broadway debut understudying Tony award winner Levi Kreis in the original Broadway cast of Million Dollar Quartet.

He recently took another turn as the Killer, originating the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in the World Premiere of Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story at Bucks County Playhouse and reprising his role in a production of the same name at Berkshire Theatre Festival. Off-broadway and subsequent Broadway runs are scheduled pending pandemic safety.

He originated and helped develop the role of George Spencer in the Off-Broadway production Evening-1910 at Axis Theatre, working alongside composer/music director Paul Carbonara, well known as the lead guitarist for the band Blondie.

James recently co-music directed and starred in Chasin’ Dem Blues: The Untold Story of Paramount Records (Professor) at the nationally acclaimed Milwaukee Repertory Theatre Company.

James is a resident pianoman at Don’t Tell Mama and Uncle Charlie's Piano Lounge as well as a frequent guest artist at NYC piano bar staples such as The Duplex. His work as an audio engineer through his studio, Studio Bogardus, is featured in the recent release on Broadway Records, Night of the Living Dead! The Musical!

James has toured world-wide with the USO Show and is a founding member and frontman of the folk rock band, The Ol’ So & So’s. Proud AEA member since 2008. JamesScheider.com