The Oct. 17 announcement from the major resident LORT company in North Carolina comes after two high-profile productions this year — The Miracle Worker starring Hilary Swank and the 20th anniversary production of Pump Boys and Dinettes. The Rep's 2003-04 season had only recently begun.

"All of us remain clearly focused on our vision," said Mike McGuire, chair of the Rep's board of trustees, in a statement.  "However, like all of the major arts groups in the region, and most professional theatres across the country, we have seen our usual sources of funding diminish during the economic downturn of the past few years.  We needed to make changes this season that will position us for continued success in the future.  After careful deliberation, the Rep's board of trustees and staff agreed to changes that will in no way compromise the artistic quality of the productions."

The first change to the season is that the Rep's co production of Hamlet with Syracuse Stage, originally scheduled for February 2004, has been cancelled and will be replaced by a Rep-only production to be announced at a later date.

"Certainly a part of our mission is to produce the classics," said Michael Bush, producing artistic director at the Rep.  "Unfortunately, due to production requirements, they become very expensive.  It became clear that the fiscally responsible decision at this time is to postpone the production of a major classic for the time being."

The Rep also announced the following changes, all of which, the troupers said, will contribute to improving the Rep's financial picture: