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I felt like I loved those characters. I knew those characters. Rent seemed to be speaking to everything I was feeling about the world. I don't want to be a booker, I was thinking. I want to be a producer. Rent's got that issue all tied up in it. How do I pursue my dreams without selling out? How do I create an alternative family? Rent spoke to me so directly, to feelings and values that I had as a young person in my late 20s, early 30s.
Do you have any idea how many times you've seen the show?
God no. Probably more than 50. More than most, but not as many as some. I'm sure there are Rentheads who have seen the show more than me.
How do you feel about the closing of the show on June 1?
I thought, wow, Rent has defined so much of my adult life. It has defined my career. It cracked open my career. I kind of divide my life into pre-Rent and post-Rent. Closing is sad because we come to expect of a show that it will always be there, and then when we realize it is time to close, we're reminded of the cold reality of life, which is that everything comes to an end. But I'll get over it. The great thing about musicals is that they live on after we do them on Broadway in a way that is unique. Remember, most people who experience musicals, like I did as a kid, don't experience them on Broadway. They experience them when they do them in their Purim plays, when they do them in school, when they see them in community theater. And that's what happens to Rent next. So Rent moves on to the next stage of its life, and that will make me very happy.
What is Broadway losing?
It's losing those beloved characters. It's losing that groundbreaking, emotional, brilliant score. But Broadway moves on. Groundbreaking, fresh, surprising musicals are continuing to bang down the doors of Broadway.
What is Broadway gaining with In the Heights?


Comments
Great Article—It's alway informative and inspirational to learn how people get from A-Z! James
Posted by James K. Zimmerman on April 14,2008 | 06:45AM
I wuld like to invite Jeffrey Sellers to a reading of my musical "socks". The true story of what happens to them after they get lost in the dryer. Is there somewhere I can send an invitation. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Sharon Barnett
Posted by sharon barnett on February 24,2009 | 11:53PM
I represent a famous Broadway musical star who has developed a musical based on a well-known serious dramatic play. Can you advise how I can reach Jeffrey Seller? Thank you.
Posted by Mike Schwager on April 11,2009 | 06:48PM
Hi Mike and Sharon -
Jeffrey Seller is one of the founders of The Producing Office in New York. We are releasing a new service to theatrical professionals that provides this type of information as well as the ability to post information on projects for other producers/investors at BoffoBox.com.
If you send me an email from the website, I'll set you guys up with a free trial.
Thanks.
Brian
President | Boffo Box
Posted by Brian McMahon on October 3,2009 | 08:44AM
I have recently completed and produced a new Scottish Musical "Lady Lane".It is based on the novel"White Bird Passes"by Jessie Kesson As part of The Highland Year of Culture it recieved great reviews and with the amount of ex pats in America I believe it would be a major hit .look in at myspace.com/ladylanemusical
Ceers Kenny
Posted by Kenny Macdonald on October 15,2009 | 11:31AM