The Michigan Man Behind the Hit Musical,“Hamilton”
The Detroit Economic Club Presents a Conversation with Jeffrey Seller, producer of the hip-hop juggernaut
Watch Detroit Public TV’s livestream Wednesday, March 27,
at 11:35 a.m. at dptv.org
at 11:35 a.m. at dptv.org
The musical, “Hamilton,” at the Fisher Theater is the hottest ticket in town, and the Detroit Economic Club has invited its producer, Oak Park native Jeffrey Seller, for a conversation about the hit musical, growing up in Michigan and his commitment to making theater available to all people.
Detroit Public TV, in partnership with the Detroit Economic Club, will provide a livestream of the discussion from the Masonic Temple, which will be moderated by WDIV-TV news anchor, Devin Scillian, on Wednesday, March 27, at 11:35 a.m. at dptv.org.
“Hamilton” was not Seller’s first stage success. He has earned a total of four Tony Awards for revolutionary productions including “Rent,” “Avenue Q” and “In the Heights.”
But nothing compares with the current mega-hit, which received 11 Tony Awards and a record-breaking 16 nominations, when it premiered in 2016. On Broadway, he is considered a true innovator.
Raised as the adopted child in an economically struggling Jewish family, Seller graduated from the University of Michigan as a political science major, though he was active in college theater. He made his way to New York, where he started off as a publicist and booking traveling shows, before ascending to the top ranks of producers.
Besides reinventing the Broadway musical, Seller also is credited with creating the lottery ticket process (there is an easily downloadable app for “Hamilton”), intended to keep theater accessible to younger and less affluent audiences.
And he hasn’t forgotten his hometown either, recently donating $1 million dollars to Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit for its remarkable programs, which expose kids to the stage and other arts, while helping them succeed academically. Its alumni have earned Tony, Emmy and Grammy nominations, while performing for two U.S. presidents.
Who knows? From its ranks might come the next Lin-Manuel Miranda or Jeffrey Seller. Enjoy and please share with a Hamilton lover near you.
Rich Homberg
President and CEO
Detroit Public Television - 1 Clover Court, Wixom, MI 48393
248-640-4169 - rhomberg@dptv.org - @RichHomberg
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“Detroit is just like everywhere else, only more so--a lot more so.” ― Jerry Herron
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