Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Sets Attendance Records in 2009

Record numbers of patrons attended the 18th season of The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, which closed Sunday. "For years, our patrons have shared with us personal stories of what the Festival means to them. I'm not sure we knew just how important until this season," says Patrick Mulcahy, producing artistic director. "This level of patronage, particularly in this economy, reinforces our understanding that the arts are not an option; they fulfill a fundamental human longing and play a crucial role in the health and vitality of our community," he says.

"Our approach this season was to cut expenses and increase programming and continue to increase quality to be sure that the Festival would be on solid financial ground," he added.

The strategy worked.

Total attendance for 2009 is projected to be 33,000, an increase of 22.5% more than the 2008 attendance of 26,935 and a 10% increase more than the highest attendance PSF previously achieved, 29,998, in 2000. Even without the increases in programming, the previous record would have been surpassed.

"Each season, PSF offers diverse programming and we work hard to focus our resources on stage to enhance our patrons' experience," says Managing Director Casey Gallagher.

The Festival featured Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Antony and Cleopatra, the musical 1776, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), Cinderella, The Green Show, and a new production, Shakespeare for Kids. Dr. and Mrs. Frank J. Szarko are the 2009 Season Sponsors. Associate Season Sponsors are the Harry C. Trexler Trust, The Morning Call and Service Electric Cable TV & Communications.

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival at DeSales University is the Official Shakespeare Festival of The Commonwealth and a professional, not-for-profit theatre company. An independent 501 c 3 organization, PSF receives support from DeSales University and relies on contributions from individuals, government agencies, corporations and foundations. PSF is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia and the Shakespeare Theatre Association of America.