Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, November 17, 2008 . . . The Shaw Festival’s 47th season came to a close on November 16 with attendance 6% ahead of last season. After a successful hold-over of Shaw’s popular comedy, Getting Married, Executive Director Colleen Blake released the attendance results of the season, noting: “Despite the many tourism challenges facing us throughout the 2008 season – rising gas prices, a strong Canadian dollar and ongoing border issues – we are thrilled that The Shaw has produced such strong box office results.”
For the 2008 season, box office revenues reached $14.9 million (9% ahead of last season) with attendance reaching 281,000 or 70% of capacity for 792 performances. This represents an attendance increase of 6% over the previous year. The Shaw’s box office revenues represent an overall economic impact of close to $100 million on the Niagara region.

Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell commented on the artistic success of the season: “It is both gratifying and heartening to see our audience respond so strongly and enthusiastically to all areas of our programming. From virtually unknown pieces such as The Stepmother and After the Dance to revisioned Shaw favourites, from Sondheim in the Court House and Bernstein in the Festival to our lunchtime smash hit, audiences embraced them all.”

Tickets for the 2009 season went on sale to Shaw Festival Members on November 8. Sales to the general public begin January 5 by mail, fax and on-line and January 10 by phone or in person. Details are available on the Shaw website www.shawfest.com or by calling 1-800-511-SHAW (7429).

Audited financial reports will be available January 23 at The Shaw’s Annual General Meeting, to be held at the Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The 2008 season was proudly presented by HSBC Bank Canada/HSBC Bank USA, N.A.
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Please visit our website at news.shawfest.com for other Shaw Festival media releases.
For more information, or to download images from our image bank to accompany this release, members of the media may contact:
Odette Yazbeck
Director, Public Relations
905-468-2153 ext. 222 or
1-800-657-1106 ext. 222
odette@shawfest.com