“The Star has learned that the Shaw Festival’s advance sales for its all-important mainstage theatre are currently running a frightening 15 per cent behind last year at this point. Shaw went through devastating seasons in 2003 and 2004, leaving it with a $6.5 million deficit, which has been brought down to $3.3 million today, thanks to increased sales in 2005 and 2006, as well as improved fundraising revenue.”