Sean Cercone Acquires Broadway Licensing

Theatrical licensing company, Broadway Licensing has been purchased by the company's President Sean Cercone, backed by international strategic partner The Antelope Group, from former owner Elliott Azrak of VENTURESOME.

Cercone was brought on as President of Playscripts Inc in 2017 and with Azrak created the Broadway Licensing imprint. In its first year the company acquired six Broadway titles including A Bronx Tale, Escape to Margaritaville, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Head Over Heels, Gettin' the Band Back Together, and BKLYN. With sister theatrical development company Stageworks Media the team developed Beat Bugs: A Musical Adventure (based on the hit Netflix series) and the Junior Varsity Collection which adapts musicals for young performers.

"I'm thrilled to provide authors a licensing approach that gives highly personalized treatment to their titles by a deeply motivated team of theatre professionals at the core." said Cercone. "By purchasing Broadway Licensing, Playscripts and Stageworks Media, I'm able to ensure that there will always be an aggressive long-term global strategy for each and every show we are honored to represent, built on strong industry relationships and resulting in our author's musicals and plays on more stages around the world."

Previous owner Elliott Azrak purchased Playscripts Inc from the founders, the Rand brothers in 2014 and subsequently acquired Stageworks Media.

Azrak's, described his vision for Broadway Licensing and Playscripts as follows: "Our intention was to bring aggressive strategy, technology and innovation to the theatrical licensing world and we've successfully been able to accomplish this. Broadway Licensing was a continuation of my career path where I've combined my expertise for licensing the most creative properties and franchises and my passion of art, theater, music and fashion. Sean has been able to build upon the vision in such a way that I am proud to continue onto my next act."

Prior to launching Broadway Licensing, Cercone served as Chief Business Officer and Senior Vice President of Professional and International Licensing for Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW). Cercone is a proud member of the Broadway League and previously served as the Producing Artistic Director of The Carousel, Executive Producer of Theatre Building Chicago, and founded the West Virginia Shakespeare Festival. He has served on the board of the National Alliance of Musical Theaters, Co-Chaired of the NAMT New Musical Theatre Festival and served as Board President of the Cleveland Theatre Collective.

The Antelope Group is a private live-entertainment investment and advisory firm founded by a diverse group of experienced producers, entertainment executives and investors.

For more information about Broadway Licensing, call (866) 639-7529 or email info@broadwaylicensing.com.

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