Rep shortens "The Three Musketeers" run; Oregon Shakespeare Festival cuts 2009 budget

Two flagship nonprofit Northwest theaters are responding to the worsening economic crisis with production and budget cuts.

Seattle Repertory Theatre has canceled the final week of its show "The Three Musketeers," which will stage its final performance at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9.

The show was slated to run through Nov. 15, two weeks longer than the Rep's standard 4 ½-week engagement. But the large-cast production (which earned mixed reviews) has not been as big a draw as anticipated.

Patrons holding "Three Musketeers" tickets for after Nov. 9 can call the Rep box office to reschedule: 206-443-2222.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has announced it will cut $1 million from its 2009 season budget, dropping it to $25.5 million.

In a press statement, OSF executive director Paul Nicholson noted the Ashland, Ore., theater complex "anticipates a projected $750,000 deficit in 2008 as a result of lower investment returns and below budgeted ticket revenues."

This year's shortfall will be covered by cash reserves, according to Nicholson. Cuts for next year's budget are in anticipation of lower revenues in 2009, due to decreasing donations and the effects of stock market declines on OSF's endowment fund investments.

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com