Photo Flash: Hats! Opens in Chicago

Hats!, a new musical previously seen in Denver and New Orleans, opened at the Royal George Theatre in Chicago on April 29th for a run through June 10th. 

According to press notes, Hats! is "an original musical about a 49.999 year old woman who reluctantly faces the inevitable big five-O birthday until she meets several remarkable Red Hat Society women who show her about fun and friendship after 50."

Directed by Tony Award nominee Lynne Taylor-Corbett (Swing!), Hats! features a score of original songs from a handful of artists, including two-time Tony Award winner Doug Besterman, Tony-nominated lyricist Susan Birkenhead (Jelly's Last Jam, Working), Michele Brourman, Pat Bunch, Gretchen Cryer (I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It On the Road) , Anthony Dodge, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Beth Falcone, David Friedman, Kathie Lee Gifford, Tony-nominated composer-lyricist Carol Hall (Best Little Whorehouse In Texas), Tony-nominated composer Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls), Stephen Lawrence, Grammy Award-winner Manchester, Golden Globe-winner Amanda McBroom, Grammy Award-winner Pam Tillis and Sharon Vaughn.

The show stars singer/songwriter and actress Melissa Manchester, as well as Vickie Daignault, Rosalyn Rahn Kerins, Laura Walls, Marilynn Bogetich, Kate Young and Nora Mae Lyng.

For more information visit www.hatsthemusical.com.

 
Melissa Manchester takes her curtain call

The cast - Vickie Daignault, Rosalyn Rahn Kerins, Laura Walls, Melissa Manchester, Marilynn Bogetich, Kate Young and Nora Mae Lyng

Sue Ellen Cooper, "the Exalted Queen Mother of Hats!," with Marilynn Bogetich, Laura Walls, Rosalyn Rahn Kerins, Sue Ellen Cooper, Vickie Daignault, Melissa Manchester, Kate Young and Nora Mae Lyng

Melissa Manchester and Kate Young

Debra Granich (COO of the Red Hats Society) with producers Mitchell and Victoria Maxwell