AMT reports gains after a draining 2003-04 season

OFFICIALS AT SAN JOSE THEATER SEE CAUSE FOR OPTIMISM IN INCREASED SUBSCRIPTIONS, DONATIONS

By Karen D'Souza

Mercury News

The American Musical Theatre of San Jose last week posted a $1.5 million deficit for the 2003-04 fiscal year, the biggest in the company's 69-year history and almost 13 percent of its operating budget. But officials say that so far, the current season's numbers are striking a more upbeat note.

Compared with this time last year, they say, subscriptions are up (from 15,850 to 16,650 -- ``this is the first time in seven years that we haven't seen a decline in subscriptions,'' says president and executive producer Michael Miller); contributed income has tripled (from $58,661 to $182,302) and ticket sales have doubled (from 15,500 to 31,100). Miller says the first three shows this fall -- ``The Producers,'' ``Rent'' and ``Peter Pan'' -- all have exceeded the ticket goals.