Before he was producing the musical hits of our generation, Jeffrey was just a kid coming to terms with his adoption, trying to understand his sexuality, and determined to escape his dysfunctional household in a poor neighborhood just outside Detroit. We see him find his voice through musical theater and move to New York, where he is determined to shed his past and make a name for himself on Broadway. But moving to the big city is never easy—especially not at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis—and Jeffrey learns to survive and thrive in the colorful and cutthroat world of commercial theatre. From his early days as an office assistant, to meeting Jonathan Larson and experiencing the triumph and tragedy of Rent, to working with Lin-Manuel Miranda on In the Heights and Hamilton, Jeffrey pulls back the curtain on the of process of making new musicals and finding new audiences.
Packed with insider nods and insight ... Makes for a fascinating study in identifying, supporting and achieving greatness ... Seller’s recollection of how the Rent team simultaneously mourned Larson and cemented his legacy is a vital account of artistic perseverance ... Engaging ... An inspiring road map ...
Theater Kid will resonate with any reader who has tried to manifest their dream job via sheer pluck and commitment. Even if Seller proves oddly evasive about his post-Rent personal life, and quotes a few too many wooden conversations from memory, those quibbles don’t overwhelm the book’s merits.
Theater Kid: A Broadway Memoir needs to be available in every high school and college library to uplift, give courage and instill hope in each young person, encouraging them to strive for their dreams. At that vulnerable time of life, many struggle with doubt, fear and all too often bullying simply for being different. This powerful work of nonfiction is both life-affirming and utterly captivating. The reader is given an all-access backstage pass to the New York theater world ... Theater Kid: A Broadway Memoir is a must-read for anyone who has ever skipped class to attend a Wednesday matinee, sat in the nosebleed section unable to afford orchestra seats, auditioned or acted in a show, or simply loves live performances. There really is something magical about 'the smell of the greasepaint and the roar of the crowd.' Jeffrey Seller clearly defines the role of producer—with all its risks, uncertainty and rewards—in this most candid of memoirs, full of wit, insight and wildly entertaining anecdotes. From poverty and an uncertain beginning, Seller has impressively succeeded both on Broadway and in life.
Captivating ... Seller candidly describes his dysfunctional family, his teenage sexual awakening, and relationships with his best friend Andrew and other men in New York City during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s ... Seller is an engaging storyteller and as passionate about directing summer camp theater as he is about producing award-winning Broadway shows. Highly recommended.
