Chuck Cissel

Chuck Cissel is an American singer, dancer, director, choreographer, and producer born on October 3, 1948, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Booker T. Washington High School before earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Oklahoma, where he was among the first African Americans to graduate from the university's fine arts program.

Cissel's Broadway career spanned from 1971 to 1975, during a period when the industry was expanding opportunities for African American performers. His stage credits include Hello, Dolly!, in which he appeared alongside Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway, as well as Purlie, Lost in the Stars, Via Galactica, and Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope. He was also an original cast member of A Chorus Line, the landmark Broadway musical directed, produced, and choreographed by Michael Bennett. Cissel received a Theatre World Special Award in 1976.

During his run in A Chorus Line, Cissel recorded his first album, Swept Away, which was produced by Michael Bennett. He subsequently signed with Arista Records, releasing solo albums that included Just for You, which featured the international dance track Cisselin' Hot, and If I Had the Chance.

Beyond his performing career, Cissel served as CEO of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, based in Tulsa, from 2000 to 2009, and later became its Artistic Director. He is the brother of former Oklahoma State Senator Maxine Horner, who co-founded the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame alongside Oklahoma State Senator Penny Williams.