Stratford puts 30 performances on hold

The Stratford Festival of Canada has canceled their April 30th performance of West Side Story, and has put another thirty performances on hold if ticket sales do not pick up.  Sales for their 2009 season are down fifteen percent. "It's a decision we made in the context of everything that is unfolding right now," says Anita Gaffney, Stratford's administrative director. "We're trying to reduce expenses, but we're also working very hard to spread the word about the season."

The festival posted a $2.6-million deficit last year and reported a four per cent decline in attendance. 11 employees were laid off going into 2009.

For more information, check out the full story in the Globe and Mail.