Plastic surgeon says producer duped him into investing in Broadway shows

A Denver plastic surgeon claims that a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer tricked him into investing $117,000 in musicals, fraudulently commingled that money, and then tried to have him and his attorney “destroyed” by a British tabloid when they demanded refunds.

Dr. Jeffrey Wheeler, 69, runs Anagenesis, a medical practice in Greenwood Village. He is also a theater aficionado, which is how he came to know the producer, JJ Powell, and invested $50,000 in “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club,” a Broadway musical that had 600 performances in 2024 and 2025.

The Denver doctor also invested $10,000 in “Proud — A Conversion Therapy Musical,” $25,000 in a film production of “Merrily We Roll Along” and $32,000 in “Sunset Boulevard.” The stage production of “Merrily” won Powell a Tony for Best Revival of a Musical in 2024.

In each case, Wheeler says his money was deposited into accounts for Powell’s Neptune Theatrical Productions and commingled by Powell, who did not provide investment documents, financial updates or distributions, even as Powell shared profits with other investors.

When Wheeler demanded his money last August, Powell allegedly made his own demands.

“Until (Wheeler) drops this nonsense and issues an apology and ceases to contact my friends and speak ill of me, we will (cease) the legal disbursements owing to him,” Powell reportedly wrote to Wheeler’s attorney, David Furtado with Furtado Law in Denver.

Angry emails populate much of Wheeler’s lawsuit, which spans 44 pages and was filed in federal court in Denver on Jan. 14. They purport to show Powell threatening in December to have Wheeler’s medical license and Furtado’s law license revoked without reason.

“Good luck with litigation,” Powell is said to have told Furtado. “I am sure everyone will be delighted to read his messages. And I will ensure both you and him are destroyed.”

“Please cease with the baseless threats,” the Denver lawyer responded.