Every day is opening night.

LEADING AUSTRALIA PRODUCER, MICHAEL CASSEL GROUP, WELCOMES FIRST NYC-BASED APPOINTMENT – JANE ABRAMSON

Press Contact:
Rick Miramontez
rick@omdkc.com
212 695 7400

FOR RELEASE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021

AUSTRALIA’S TOP THEATRICAL PRODUCING POWERHOUSE
MICHAEL CASSEL GROUP
WELCOMES FIRST NEW YORK CITY-BASED APPOINTMENT:
NEWLY NAMED HEAD OF CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
JANE ABRAMSON

FORMER DISNEY EXECUTIVE TO LEAD
EVER-GROWING DEVELOPMENT SLATE
AS MICHAEL CASSEL GROUP CONTINUES
ITS INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
INTO THE WORLD’S TOP THEATER MARKETS
 

New York, NY – Australia-based theatrical producing powerhouse Michael Cassel Group, currently readying some of the highest profile international productions for their post-pandemic bows – including the Australian premiere of Hamilton and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (both now in rehearsal) and the international tour of The Lion King – as it concurrently develops its own sizable slate of original material, is expanding its global footprint into the United States with its first New York City-based hire. Jane Abramson, late of Disney Theatrical Group, will serve as the company’s new Head of Creative Development.

Abramson will report to Head of Production Todd Lacy and be responsible with Mike McLeish, Director of Creative Development, for identifying, nurturing and delivering the company’s many theatrical development projects. The appointment is part of the company’s global expansion, focused on the creation of original, high-quality theatrical content.

Abramson joins Michael Cassel Group from Disney Theatrical Group, where she held the role of Director, Creative Development. A producer and creative executive, Abramson has spent much of the last two decades developing and managing new Broadway musicals for Disney Theatrical Group including Frozen, Aladdin, Newsies, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins and The Lion King along with regional, international, and developmental productions of Hercules, Freaky Friday, The Jungle Book, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Shakespeare in Love, Aida, Tarzan, Peter and the Starcatcher, High School Musical and Beauty and the Beast.

“New York City is arguably the theater capital of the world, and this was a move we knew we had to get right.” said Michael Cassel, CEO/Producer. “Jane is one of the most accomplished creative executives working in our industry and her reputation is second-to-none. Her experience collaborating with authors, composers, directors and creative teams across the globe, combined with her experience in nurturing new work, will help accelerate our focus on creating quality theatrical entertainment. Jane’s presence in New York allows us not only the opportunity to realize our work internationally but also helps put us at the center of new ideas, stories and theatrical IP.”

Todd Lacy, Head of Production, said: “Jane’s extensive experience in theatrical development, as well as her incredible passion for this industry, makes her an invaluable new member of our team.”

On her appointment, Abramson said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Michael Cassel Group. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to build on the company’s strong slate of diverse stories already in development and to collaborate with esteemed artists across the globe. I can’t wait to get working with some of the world’s best composers, writers and creative teams, as well as uncovering the next generation of great theatre talent.”

In 2018, in collaboration with her Disney colleagues, Abramson co-founded and co-produced the landmark event Women’s Day on Broadway which has now grown from an annual forum to year-round programming. Independently, Abramson co-founded the non-profit production company PenneySeal Productions and produced original plays, musicals and short films featured at the New York International Fringe Festival, Summer Play Festival and the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Abramson co-founded and serves as the Managing Director for Two Turns Theatre Company, a non-profit theatre company providing new takes on classic works in environmental settings. Abramson is a Board Member for the Prospect Theater Company and is an Industry Specialist for The Broadway League, The National Trade Association for the Broadway Theatre Industry.

The appointment is effective immediately.

TO DOWNLOAD HI-RES PHOTOGRAPHS:
michaelcassel.com/publicity
Password: MCGMedia2020

ABOUT MICHAEL CASSEL GROUP

Michael Cassel Group is a leading live entertainment company formed to produce and present the world’s high-quality hit musicals and theatrical productions, live entertainment experiences, marquee events and concert attractions. Productions include the first international tour of the world’s #1 musical The Lion King and the Australian premiere of the award-winning production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The company will produce the renowned production of Hamilton opening in Sydney in March 2021. Previous productions include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Les Misérables, Kinky Boots, Singin’ In The Rain and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Concert tours and major events include The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Celeste Barber, Tina Arena, Darren Criss and Lea Salonga, along with the opening celebration of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 which was televised internationally. In addition to the group’s expanding theatrical interests, the company represents former Australian Prime Minister, The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, journalist and broadcaster Liz Hayes, former Olympian and global sporting administrator Lord Sebastian Coe CH, KBE and media personality Sami Lukis.

#  #  #

michaelcassel.com
twitter.com/michaelcassel
facebook.com/MichaelCasselGroup
instagram.com/michaelcasselgroup