WESTPORT — Citing a “significant deficit” and a slow return to full audience levels caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Westport Country Playhouse officials announced Monday the theater’s slate of productions planned this year is being scaled back from five to three. 

Audiences at the 92-year-old theater “are coming back slowly and we have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels of participation,” Gretchen Wright, the playhouse director of development and interim managing director, said in the statement.

“As a result, in 2022 we successfully produced one musical and four plays, but finished with low ticket revenue and a significant deficit — a fate similar to many other theaters in Connecticut.”

Last September, the playhouse announced plans to produce five shows for 2023, but because of ongoing financial pressures the revised schedule of three productions will include:

“Ain’t Misbehavin’,” April 11-29; “Dial ‘M’ for Murder,” July 11-29, and “School Girls, or The African Mean Girls Play,” Oct. 24-Nov. 11.

The revised production schedule, according to the announcement, is designed to “focus on broadly appealing and revenue-positive programming and on building deeper community partnerships.”

“Even in the best of times, ticket sales only cover 40 percent of a show’s cost,” Anna Czekaj-Farber, chairwoman of the playhouse board of trustees, said in the statement.

“We are an agile organization and we are trying to adjust to ensure the longevity and health of this important institution that has been a part of our community for more than 90 years,” Czekaj-Farber added.

“We are confident that we are making the prudent decision that would allow us to prosper as we have many exciting plans for the future of this wonderful theater.”

Officials said that 2023 season ticket holders and “Flex Pass” holders are being contacted about how they can claim the value of canceled tickets by gift certificate, refund or donation.

Single tickets for the 2023 season are scheduled to go on sale in March.

For more information or questions, check the Westport Country Playhouse website; call the box office at 203- 227-4177, or visit the theater at 25 Powers Court.