Global theatre and live entertainment company Crossroads Live (CXL) acquires The Gordon Frost Organisation (GFO), Australia’s leading commercial producer of live theatrical entertainment
Today Crossroads Live (CXL) announces the acquisition of The Gordon Frost Organisation, Australia’s leading commercial producer of live theatrical entertainment. This transaction represents a transformative step as CXL builds the first truly global company for touring musical theatre production. In acquiring GFO, CXL is immediately positioned as a leading company in Australia, one of the most important theatre markets in the world. Further, in securing a base of operations in Sydney, CXL is strategically positioned to extend its market leadership as the foremost provider of touring theatrical productions in the key growth markets of Southeast Asia, the Middle East, India, and China.
John Frost, CEO, The Gordon Frost Organisation, is Australia’s most prolific and successful theatre producer, having produced almost 200 productions around the world. Major GFO productions include Wicked, Chicago, Grease, Dirty Dancing, and the Broadway smash hit The Book of Mormon. GFO enjoys a long and fruitful partnership as a producer of musicals with Opera Australia (OA), which has included South Pacific, The King and I, Anything Goes, and Julie Andrews’ acclaimed production of My Fair Lady as well as the recent blockbuster tour of Evita, produced by GFO and OA in partnership with CXL subsidiary David Ian Productions.
CXL is led by its Chairman and CEO Tom McGrath, its President Dan Miller, and David Ian, a director of CXL and CEO of David Ian Productions.
Tom McGrath said: “The acquisition of The Gordon Frost Organisation further establishes Crossroads Live as the leading producer of international touring theatrical productions. Having the benefit of John’s knowledge and influence, alongside the current team, is a hugely important milestone in our company’s growth. CXL and our partners at Raven Capital Management will continue to seek out compelling opportunities to grow our business globally and especially in Asia, where the next great boom in the theatre industry is already underway.”
John Frost said “This transaction honours GFO’s legacy as we look to our future. Joining forces with CXL positions GFO for significant growth opportunities, as we align our outstanding management team and deep relationships across the landscape of the Australia theatre industry with CXL’s financial strength, complementary creative relationships, and impressive slate of iconic and original touring productions. We share a common vision of opportunities across our industry and commitment to creative excellence. Presently, we are delighted to mark the return of live theatre in Australia with GFO’s production of Pippin just opened at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney and playing through January 31, 2021.”
The acquisition of GFO follows the cornerstone acquisition of London-based David Ian Productions (DIP) in 2019. Principal DIP productions include international tours of iconic theatrical properties such as Cats, Chicago, and Evita (with GFO and OA) and the forthcoming Jesus Christ Superstar, Waitress and School of Rock. Along with Michael Harrison, DIP is the originating producer of The Bodyguard, and the upcoming My Best Friend’s Wedding and Drifters Girl.
David Ian said: “The acquisition of GFO fulfills a long-held goal of formally aligning DIP with GFO and acquiring a permanent presence in Australia, a critical market for DIP’s international touring productions. Frosty has been a close friend and collaborator for many years and I am absolutely thrilled he is now part of our organization. Together, we offer a truly unique value proposition to the creators of new and iconic musical theatre production originating in the West End and Broadway, and to our presenting partners across the globe. No company is better positioned to execute international theatrical touring – creatively, logistically, commercially than the CXL group.”
On Broadway, CXL is a co-producer of Mrs. Doubtfire, Company and Almost Famous.
Beyond musical theatre, the CXL group companies are producers of immersive and themed entertainment, including the Magic Mike Live global arena tour. CXL is a co-founder, with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), of Constellation Immersive, an immersive producing company, which launched this year with The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey in Los Angeles which operates under COVID-19 safety protocols with visitors enjoying the show from the safety of their own vehicle.
Dan Miller led the transaction for Crossroads Live. CXL were advised by Gilbert + Tobin and Latham & Watkins and Grant Thornton.