Monday, Nov. 2, 2009

Slings? Arrows? Nay: Bard thrives in Oregon

ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) - With the recession cutting back travel and entertainment spending, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival was anticipating a tough 2009 season - so much so that it cut the budget $1 million and actors tripled-up on roles.

But the repertory theater Monday reported record attendance of 410,034 - 89 percent of capacity for the three theaters - and revenues of $17,098,115.

Executive director Paul Nicholson called the turnaround "astonishing," and credited loyal festival patrons.

Among the most popular plays of the season were a modern adaptation of a 250-year-old Italian farce, "The Servant of Two Masters;" the quirky "Dead Man's Cell Phone," and the classic American musical, "The Music Man."

2009-11-02     21:46:55 GMT

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