Fewer tickets were sold than last year, but there were fewer shows. The Minnesota Fringe Festival reported essentially flat numbers for attendance at the 11-day performing arts festival held in Minneapolis and St. Paul. According to preliminary figures, 46,280 tickets were distributed, compared to 48,432 in 2011. The number of performances was down, due to show cancellations, so the average attendance per show was 56 – the same as last year. In terms of total tickets distributed, the Fringe marks a second year of decline from the record of 50,222 in 2010. Audited figures for this year are not available, but the numbers released Monday represent a drop of about eight percent from the peak.

"Ash Land," by Transatlantic Love Affair was the best attended production in the festival. The troupe used movement and dance theater to tell the story of a dust bowl farm threatened by foreclosure. "Class of 98," presented by Mainly Me Productions, was second in total tickets sold. "Ash Land" was also first in the percentage of capacity achieved, a prodigious accomplishment given that the show was presented in the 259-seat Rarig Thrust stage. "TROY! The Musical," presented by Burnt Nightengale Productions was second. That show played at the 90-seat Bryant Lake Bowl. Of the top 15 best-attended shows, 13 were presented on the West Bank, and most of those were in the Rarig Center on the University of Minnesota campus. Next year's festival, the 20th, is Aug. 1-11.