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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." (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-02-09 1546CST | save this article / add to your favorites list