Broadway Producer Jeffrey Seller and Editor Thomas Keith Reflect on Shared Journeys in New Memoir
New York,NY – A new memoir is illuminating the parallel lives of Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller and editor Thomas Keith,revealing how both men navigated challenging personal and professional landscapes to find fulfillment in the world of theater. The connection, explored in a recent review, highlights a shared experience of outsider status, complex family dynamics, and the profound impact of Jewish upbringing and grappling with sexuality.
Seller’s trajectory took a pivotal turn after attending a reading of Jonathan Larson’s “Boho Days” two weeks before a life-altering departure. He was so moved he wrote to Larson, initiating a collaboration that ultimately led to the 1996 Broadway premiere of Rent.The production, like predecessors Hair and A Chorus Line, and later Hamilton, became a landmark in American musical theatre. Seller’s dedication throughout the five-year growth process underscores a relentless drive that permeates his career.
Beyond Rent,Seller’s success stems from a combination of “steely professional instincts and the interest of a theatre kid,” according to the review. He consistently seeks projects he personally connects with, stating, “I don’t look for unconventional musicals. I look for musicals to fall in love with…At the end of the day my hope is that, if I love it, then others will love it as well.”
The memoir also delves into Seller’s life beyond the stage, including the impact of the AIDS epidemic, his romantic relationships, reconnecting with birth siblings, and raising his children.
Despite being separated by generations,Seller and Keith share striking similarities,including a deep connection to theatre,Jewish roots,and navigating difficult early family lives and sexual identity. Both men, the review notes, acknowledge the role of serendipity in their respective journeys.
Thomas Keith has edited the Tennessee Williams titles for New Directions as 2002 and contributes writing to publications including Gay & Lesbian Review and American Theatre.He is also a professor of theatre at pace University.
