A four-time Tony winner, McCollum's Broadway credits include The Last Ship, Avenue Q, In the Heights and Motown The Musical. He is one of the leading producers on Broadway championing new works and backing emerging talent.

In his interview with ABC, he points to two events that motivate him in backing new developments: the death of his single mother when he was a teenager as well as the passing of Rent writer and composer Jonathan Larson, on the brink of fame. "Those two things, for me, give me great drive. I love creating opportunities for people. I think it's my orphan mentality."

McCollum is currently behind two film-to-stage adaptations: Ever After, set to begin performances at Paper Mill Playhouse this spring, and Ride the Cyclone at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre this fall.

"My job is to give people an opportunity who never had an opportunity. How do you become great until someone takes a chance on you?" he told ABC. It was partially thanks to McCollum that Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda and "Let It Go" and Book of Mormon writer Robert Lopez made their Broadway debuts.

Something Rotten is currently playing the St. James Theatre starring Brian d'Arcy James, John Cariani and Christian Borle; Hand to God is currently playing the Booth Theatre.