CHICAGO — Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical “Hamilton,” about the American founding father, has returned to Chicago for an encore, running through April 26 at the CIBC Theatre. The producer Jeffrey Seller spoke with the Tribune about one of theater’s most profitable shows, where it is now, and how it landed here after canceling a planned engagement at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

He also has a new memoir, titled “Theater Kid” (Simon & Schuster). Our conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

Q: You’re back in Chicago. I hear sales are boffo.

A: We are doing better throughout the world this year than last year, and last year was our best year. We had a great 10th anniversary celebration.

Q: The show seems still very much in the forefront of the public eye?

A: For better or worse, “Hamilton” is more essential than ever. In this political climate, it’s an encouraging reminder of our best impulses and the best manifestations of our American democracy. It tells of patriots who may disagree about policy or progress, but who get in the same room, argue, fight and scream and then come to agreements that enable us to push forward. I’ve wondered if going to “Hamilton” has become something that is actually comforting, soothing and helpful to people who are so discouraged by our deeply stressed democracy. Our democracy is under enormous pressure, and I think that “Hamilton” is its own antidote.

Q: This Chicago engagement came about after you walked away from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

A: Chicago saved us.

Q: Was it hard to walk away from D.C.? Presumably, you had some kind of contract.

A: The execution was difficult, but the decision to walk away was easy. It should always be easy to make a decision that honors your ethics and values. The minute I heard Donald Trump had fired the board of directors, (Kennedy Center president) Deborah Rutter, every single board member who was appointed by a Democrat, I called Lin and said we can’t perform under this regime coup, in which the Kennedy center became an arm of the Trump organization. Lin agreed.

Those D.C. dates were on hold for more than a year. We were supposed to be a part of their celebration of the 250th anniversary of America. But the good news was, we didn’t yet have a contract so we just called and said we are not coming. We know from 10 years of experience that Trump does not honor contracts. Trump’s word means nothing. I said to myself that if we sign a contract and he gets angry at us for any reasons, he will say to the Kennedy Center, “Pull it.” And then what would I have done with my 50 company members who needed that contract to make a living? And look what happened with all the other shows. I am sure they all had “contracts.” We just got lucky that Chicago was available. You have the population to support multiple weeks and there are multiple theaters to support multiple shows. Most theaters in other cities book two years out.

Q: Do you have another “Hamilton” in your pocket? Broadway still is waiting for another comparable hit and it has been a while.

A: I am also concerned about the paucity of great new musicals over the last six years. The fact is, we just don’t have that many new musicals in development. All I can see is keep trying and get the kind of musical that is a wallop and not a whimper. That is what I am working on.

Q: And how about trying one of them out here? That has been quiet here, too.

A: Well, other states now have a better tax credit. You should tell JB Pritzker: Ohio is doing up to $3 million for new shows. And your 9% entertainment tax makes it even harder. That’s why shows are coming less. People are using the tax credit in New York to open their shows in Buffalo and Schenectady.

Q: You’ve been touring around with your new memoir, much of which draws from your early life growing up with theater dreams.

A: I am coming to do talks at both the Goodman Theatre and Northwestern University. The thing I love the most is when parents come to me and talk about their kids being theater kids and how reading my book has helped them get to know their kids better. How gratifying is that?

If you go

“Hamilton” plays through April 26 at the CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St.; www.broadwayinchicago.com.

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