TOPSHAM – The Maine State Music Theatre announces a surplus for 2004. At its annual meeting at the Holden Frost House on Nov. 29, board of trustees Treasurer Thomas M. Pierce announced the theater ended its fiscal year with a surplus of $42,470.

Pierce cited a combination of close adherence to cost management and solid ticket sales along with contributed revenue from numerous sources as the reasons for the success.

“It is a credit to everyone involved in the operation that MSMT achieved this milestone,” he said. President Nancy Ladd went on to thank staff and board members for their contributions, as well as acknowledge that the theater’s loyal patrons keep coming back year after year.

A statistic that stands out in the face of a national trend in the other direction is that the theater increased its subscriber base by 700 to more than 7,200. Most theatres are experiencing a decrease in season ticket sales in recent years.

With a solid 2005 lineup that features “Cats,” “Miss Saigon” and “Swing!” (the fourth show will be announced soon), Maine State Music Theatre is off to a strong start in both season ticket sales and holiday gift certificates for season and single tickets.

Ladd presented to outgoing board member and past President Barbara Norton a plaque in her name to be given to the “Volunteer of the Year,” selected from the board of trustees or anyone else volunteering on behalf of the organization. Norton, in her many years of service to Maine State Music Theatre, set a high standard for every aspect of volunteerism.

For more information, contact contact the theater at 725-8769.