Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller has been a key behind-the-scenes figure for some of the biggest hits on Broadway, including Hamilton and Rent. But his journey began with a local theater company in Michigan where he was just 13 years old.
Seller landed a role in Popcorn Pete, but audiences were unimpressed. However, this experience sparked an interest in plays and helped him develop skills that would eventually lead to producing musicals. After working as a booker for touring companies performing popular musicals, Seller’s taste was shaped by human stories and contemporary themes.
Seller’s collaboration with Rent writer/composer Jonathan Larson marked a turning point in the industry. Despite Larson’s untimely death just before the first preview performance of Rent, his work paved the way for other contemporary musicals like Hamilton, Next to Normal, and Dear Evan Hansen.
Seller credits Larson’s legacy, which emphasizes the importance of music, characters, and stories, as the driving force behind Broadway’s shift towards more contemporary works. With Hamilton continuing this trend, Seller believes that if musicals continue to tell stories about who we are today, the industry will remain in great shape.
Seller’s story serves as a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and collaboration in shaping the world of Broadway.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/30/nx-s1-5448861/hamilton-rent-broadway-jeffrey-seller-theater-kid