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The Theatrical Division of International Literary Properties has made a significant move by acquiring The American Play Company from acclaimed actor Michael Douglas and his business partner Mark Shankman. This acquisition comes under the leadership of ILP Theatrical’s CEO Michael Barra and Chairman Thomas B. McGrath.
The American Play Company has a storied history that dates back to the 1880s when it first served as an agency for prominent figures such as George Bernard Shaw, Jerome Kern, and J.M. Barrie. Today, it still engages with the works of many authors, including Maurine Dallas Watkins, whose 1926 play inspired the celebrated Broadway musical Chicago.
The acquisition by ILP includes the literary estates of notable writers Damon Runyon and Cornell Woolrich. Runyon, known for his engaging short stories, provided the foundation for the beloved musical Guys & Dolls. Meanwhile, Woolrich’s 1942 story, “It Had to Be Murder,” was adapted into the acclaimed 1954 Alfred Hitchcock film Rear Window.
Expressing enthusiasm about the transition, Michael Douglas stated, “Mark and I are incredibly thrilled about this next exciting chapter for APC and its rich catalog of literary legacies. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with Michael and the entire ILP team to continue and enhance the company’s storytelling legacy.”
CEO Michael Barra highlighted the importance of the American Play Company’s works, stating, “These narratives are woven into the very fabric of American Theatre. They have inspired timeless musicals and acclaimed films. We are excited to take on the stewardship of such significant literary figures and collaborate with Michael Douglas and Mark Shankman on this collection of classics in the future.”
The American Play Company was established by Elisabeth Marbury in 1914 and gained prominence by representing various literary icons including George Bernard Shaw and Jerome Kern. Marbury eventually merged her company with Selwyn & Co., and by the 1930s, it evolved into a consolidation of influential companies, incorporating Selwyn & Co., Elisabeth Marbury, Inc., The John Rumsey Play Company, and The De Mille Company.
In the early 1960s, the company came under the ownership of renowned producer Sheldon Abend, who led it until 1999 when Michael Douglas acquired it to explore opportunities in film and television adaptation. Abend was noted for his advocacy in intellectual property rights, famously arguing a Supreme Court case that fought for the exclusive rights of authors’ heirs to control derivative works. This was pivotal for protecting the rights of authors like Cornell Woolrich, whose work inspired Hitchcock’s classic.
Since 2019, Mark Shankman has worked alongside Douglas, steering the catalog’s involvement in significant projects, including Chicago, the longest-running American musical on Broadway, and the recent revival of Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre in London. Additionally, a film remake of Guys & Dolls has been announced, with Rob Marshall set to direct for Sony’s TriStar Pictures.
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www.broadwayworld.com