Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Sets One-Day Sales Record

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival set a new one-day sales record on February 15th, the opening day of single ticket sales for the summer 2017 season.

In one day, 938 tickets were sold for more than $43,000 total. This is an increase of 64% compared with the first day of single ticket sales in 2016, the Festival's record-breaking 25th anniversary season.

"The growing demand for our productions is gratifying, and helps us to fulfill our mission of reaching the widest possible audience with the world-class productions we work so hard to create," says Producing Artistic Director Patrick Mulcahy.

The previous single-day sales record was set in 2015 when 809 tickets were sold for a $38,000 total, predominantly for Les Miserablés, the Festival's highest-ever attended production.

"The season's opener is the blockbuster musical Evita. Historically, sales for the musical are a driving force for ticket sales. However, this year, all of the productions are significantly ahead, including record subscription sales, compared to the same time period in previous seasons." says Managing Director Casey Gallagher.

The first wave of ticket sales began online at 12:01am of February 15th.

"Now with the ability for patrons to choose their seats we definitely have a lot more online traffic." says PSF Box Office Manager, Catherine Logan. "I came into the Box Office early to find over 40 online ticket orders before 9am." The wave of ticket sales continued throughout the day online, by phone, and with multiple lines of patrons waiting to purchase tickets at the box office.

The summer season will include two Shakespeare titles: the popular comedy As You Like It and PSF's "Extreme Shakespeare" production of Troilus and Cressida. Not often produced and a must-see for for the Shakespeare enthusiast. (Extreme Shakespeare: Actors arrive with their lines learned, rehearse on their own, wear what they can find, and open in a matter of days.)

The summer season also includes a mystery comedy The Hound of the Baskervilles, in which three actors play 16 roles, a la PSF's 2013 production of The 39 Steps; plus The Three Musketeer's by Lend Me a Tenorplaywright Ken Ludwig and directed by world-renowned fight choreographer Rick Sordelet, whose credits include Broadway, Disney, The Metropolitan Opera and the Royal Opera House. PSF will also produce two children's productions, The Ice Princess, a new adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's The Snow Queen,and Shakespeare for Kids.

Order tickets online at pashakespeare.org, or by calling the box office at 610.282.WILL [9455], ext. 1, or in person at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts on the Center Valley campus of DeSales University.

David B. Rothrock and Patrina L. Rothrock are the 2017 season sponsors. Associate season sponsors are the Szarko Family, Harry C. Trexler Trust, and Linda Lapos and Paul Wirth.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, a professional company in residence 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 Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the Shakespeare Theatre Association, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council, and Discover Lehigh Valley.

2017 Summer Season:

Main Stage Theatre

Evita • June 14- July 2

The Three Musketeers • July 12 - August 6

As You Like It • July 20 - August 6

Shakespeare for Kids • July 26 - August 5

Schubert Theatre

The Hound of the Baskervilles • June 21 - July 16

Troilus and Cressida• July 26 - August 6

The Ice Princess • June 2 - August 5

One Night Only Events

Main Stage Theatre

Mike Eldred • June 26

Dee Roscioli • July 31

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