'Hamilton' producer reflects on 10-year anniversary
The beloved musical, created by original star Lin-Manuel Miranda, celebrates a decade on Broadway this week.
Producer Jeffrey Seller is reflecting on the show's lasting influence on audiences and the theater world since its groundbreaking premiere.
9 Seller produced Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit musical 'Hamilton.'
Getty Images
'I'm feeling so rewarded by 'Hamilton's' impact on people over [the past] 10 years,' Seller, 60, exclusively told The Post. 'The ways in which it has brought so many people joy, … inspiration and illumination. How much it has entertained, but also how much it has educated.'
'Hamilton' officially opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Aug. 6, 2015, following previews that began on July 13. Since then, Seller said it has reached 'well over a quarter of a million Title I high school' students.
'[It] not only entertains them, but teaches them American history,' Seller said. 'Not only teaches them American history, but gives them a sense of place — 'Oh, I belong here too. I'm part of the story.''
9 More than 4.6 million people have seen 'Hamilton' on Broadway.
NY Post Brian Zak
9 The original Broadway cast of 'Hamilton' included Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr. and Anthony Ramos.
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According to Broadway World, more than 4.6 million people have seen 'Hamilton' on Broadway — not including those the musical has reached through its filmed version on Disney+, which earned 'Hamilton' an Emmy for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) in 2021.
In June 2020, Forbes reported that the production had surpassed $1 billion in global revenue, making it one of the few to reach the milestone. The achievement helped land Miranda, 45, on the list of the world's highest-paid celebrities, with estimated earnings of $45.5 million that year.
'Hamilton' also dominated the 2016 Tony Awards, winning 11 out of its record-setting 16 nominations, including best musical and best original score.
9 Seller described 'Hamilton' as a 'strike of lightning.'
Kevin Mazur
The original Broadway cast included Miranda, who also wrote the show's book and score, as Alexander Hamilton; Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton. This fall, Odom, 43, is set to reprise his role for the first time since departing the production in 2016.
According to ticket-selling platforms like Broadway Direct and TodayTix, Odom's entire run — from Sept. 9 to Nov. 26 — is completely sold out. Before tickets were snagged, prices ranged from $205 to $624, not including fees.
Miranda, for his part, is also known for creating and starring in 2008's 'In the Heights,' another Broadway hit produced by Seller that also earned Tonys for best musical and best original score.
9 'Hamilton' began as a concept album about the life of Treasure Secretary Alexander Hamilton.
AP
9 'Hamilton' premiered off-Broadway at The Public Theater on Feb. 17, 2015.
Getty Images
Reflecting on 'Hamilton's' early days, Seller said it felt like 'if 'In the Heights' was this warm embrace, 'Hamilton' was this strike of lighting.''
'It was absolutely Lin, but it was also another leap forward for him creatively,' Seller explained. 'I remember I was just so blown away by the first three songs: 'Alexander Hamilton,' 'My Shot' and, maybe, Washington's first song ('Right Hand Man').'
'I just said, 'What do you want to do?'' he continued. 'At first, he wanted to make an album. I said, 'So we'll help you make an album… I'm here to serve.''
9 'Hamilton' won best musical and best original score at the 2016 Tony Awards.
Bloomberg via Getty Images
9 'Hamilton' canceled its 2026 run at the Kennedy Center.
In fact, in 2009, Miranda introduced 'Hamilton' as a concept album during an appearance at the White House for an evening of poetry, music and the spoken word under the Obama administration.
'I'm thrilled the White House called me tonight because I'm actually working on a hip-hop album,' he said at the time. 'It's a concept album about the life of someone I think embodies hip-hop, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton.'
Miranda then performed an early version of what would become 'Hamilton's' opening number, aptly titled 'Alexander Hamilton.'
9 Lin-Manuel Miranda's final performance as Alexander Hamilton in 2016.
Getty Images
Before transferring to Broadway, the off-Broadway production of 'Hamilton' premiered at The Public Theater on Feb. 17, 2015. Despite its success over the past 10 years, Seller said he thinks it's still too early to know what the show's legacy will be.
''Legacy' is a hard word because we don't know,' he explained. 'I think we're still too close to see what its legacy is.'
In addition to 'Hamilton,' Seller's other producing credits include 'Rent,' 'Avenue Q,' the 2009 revival of 'West Side Story' and, most recently, the 2023 revival of 'Sweeney Todd.'
He chronicled his journey from growing up in Detroit to becoming an award-winning producer in his book, 'Theater Kid: A Broadway Memoir,' published on May 6.
Meanwhile, 'Hamilton' continues its reach beyond Broadway with multiple North American tours, as well as productions in London's West End, Australia, the UK and Ireland.
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