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Blake Ehrlichman fell in love with Dear Evan Hansen when the Broadway cast recording was released in 2017. From the moment he heard it, he was captivated. That fall, he had the privilege of seeing the show live, and it was life-changing. He saw himself on that stage and knew deep down that he could play those roles.

He manifested, dreamed, prayed, and did everything he could to make it happen. When he moved to New York City for college the following year to study acting, he seized his first opportunity to audition. In 2019, he woke up at 5 a.m. to stand in a first-come, first-served line for a non-union Dear Evan Hansen call. They were looking for young actors who could play any of the show’s male roles. The audition room was packed with hundreds of bright-eyed teens, all waiting for a mere 20-second cut of a non-musical theatre pop-rock song.

Blake stepped into the audition, sang his heart out, said “thank you,” and left. He remembers catching a glimpse of the casting intern smiling at him while he performed, though he was in such a daze that he barely registered it. Most never hear back after these calls—but in February 2020, he received an email callback for the role of Jared.

He prepared relentlessly. In the audition room, he was also asked to read for Connor. (He later found out they weren’t casting Evans at the time, as there wasn’t an open contract for the role.) A few weeks later, he was called back again—this time for Jared and the Jared/Connor understudy track. On March 3, 2020, he had his best audition yet, guided by Danny Sharron, the associate director at the time.

Then, one week later, Broadway and the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was devastated.

When theatre reopened, he got another callback for the same track in March 2022, but the role went to someone else. It was setback after setback, but he never lost faith. He trusted in divine timing.

Fast forward to early 2024—one night, he was manifesting and visualizing his next opportunity, and the very next morning, an audition notice was released for the brand-new Dear Evan Hansen tour. The moment he saw it, he knew it was his. His intuition told him so. He kept repeating with complete certainty: “I am going on the road with Dear Evan Hansen.”

He submitted his tapes and, in a bold move, decided to audition for the cover track—playing all three male characters. Throughout the process, they kept calling him back for exactly that track. Then, two months later, he booked it!

Blake describes this journey as one of the most rewarding, enriching, and challenging experiences of his life. And in an incredible full-circle moment, Danny Sharron—who had been in his very first auditions—ended up as the director for this tour. While submitting his tapes, Blake emailed Danny to remind him of his pre-COVID auditions. After rehearsals ended, Danny told him that he was glad he had reached out—because with over 1,200 video submissions to sift through, that email helped bring his name back into the mix.

Blake reflects, “Dreams take time, persistence, and faith—but when they come true, it’s all worth it.”

      Jeffrey Seller, the legendary Broadway producer behind iconic musicals like Rent and Hamilton, has taken a bow in a new way — by sharing his life story in his inspiring memoir, Theater Kid. Born and raised in Oak Park, Michigan, Seller's journey to the pinnacle of theater success is filled with unexpected challenges and transformative experiences.

While Seller’s name is synonymous with multiple Tony Award-winning productions, Theater Kid pulls back the curtain on the trials and tribulations he faced long before the spotlight found him. Readers are treated to a raw and revealing look at Seller's upbringing, the moments that shaped his passion for the arts, and the obstacles he overcame to bring groundbreaking shows to life.

The memoir highlights the realities of navigating the competitive world of theater while staying true to one's roots. Seller's story serves as a powerful reminder that even the most dazzling achievements often come after moments of doubt and difficulty. His journey is a testament to perseverance, creativity, and humility.

     What makes Theater Kid particularly compelling is Seller's connection to his hometown roots. Despite ascending to the heights of Broadway fame, he never forgot where he came from — a theme that resonates throughout the book.

Fans of theater, storytelling, and personal growth will find Theater Kid both eye-opening and deeply inspiring. Seller's experiences reveal that behind every successful production lies a journey filled with lessons, risks, and triumphs.

For anyone seeking motivation or simply curious about what it takes to become a Broadway powerhouse, Theater Kid is a must-read. Pre-orders for this captivating memoir are available now on  Amazon at this link.