Cherry Lane Makes Administration Agreement With DreamWorks Theatricals For SHREK

Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc. who represents Broadway writers including Maury Yeston, Leslie Bricusse and Jason Howland, has announced a multi-year, worldwide administration agreement for the score from Shrek The Musical, the first theatrical production from DreamWorks Theatricals. Based on William Steig's classic book and the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure. Cherry Lane has been music administrator for DreamWorks Animation since 1997.

Shrek The Musical opened on Broadway in December, and has been nominated for eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. The show earned rave reviews for its stars Sutton Foster and Brian D'Arcy James, who also appear on the original cast recording, released by Decca in March. The songs were composed by Tony Award nominee Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline or Change) and Pulitzer-Prize winner and Tony Award nominee, David Lindsay-Abaire. Shrek The Musical has also received four 2009 Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Actor & Actress in a Musical and was nominated for twelve Drama Desk Awards.

In announcing the deal, Dan Rosenbaum, VP of Creative Services and Marketing at Cherry Lane noted: "Shrek The Musical is a bold step forward into the musical theater arena for what has become an iconic American work. We're very proud to be the publishing partner for DreamWorks Theatricals and are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship as DreamWorks Animation's music publisher."

Bill Damaschke, Co-President of Production for Feature Animation and President of Live Theatrical at DreamWorks Animation commented: "We are thrilled that Shrek The Musical will be handled by Cherry Lane Music. In addition to being one of the premiere music publishing companies on Broadway, they have consistently delivered on the film side for many years. We couldn't be happier to continue our relationship with them."

The deal was negotiated by Mike Connelly, EVP of Business Development and Keith Hauprich, VP of Business & Legal Affairs for Cherry Lane. DreamWorks Theatricals is part of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA). 

Cherry Lane, New York-based privately held music publisher founded in 1960 by renowned producer/arranger Milt Okun, oversees an extensive catalogue of legendary songs from Elvis Presley, John Denver, Quincy Jones and Ashford & Simpson, to more recent Billboard chart-toppers including the Black Eyed Peas, John Legend and Wolfmother. Known for its innovative copyright exploitation and administration, Cherry Lane has forged relationships with DreamWorks Pictures, DreamWorks Animation SKG, The Weinstein Company, Marvel Entertainment, Lakeshore Entertainment, Walden Media, E! Entertainment Television, Sanrio (Hello Kitty), NASCAR, Icon Productions, NFL Films, World Wrestling Entertainment, Professional Bull Riders, Pokémon USA, Inc. and 4Kids TV, to name a few. Learn more at cherrylane.com.