Hats! The Red Hat Society Musical

Hats! The Red Hat Society Musical, starring Grammy Award-winner Melissa Manchester in the role of MaryAnne and featuring the songs of a variety of acclaimed composers and lyricists, will receive its Chicago premiere at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, Sunday, April 29 at 7 p.m.

Inspired by The Red Hat Society, Hats! is an original musical about a 49.999-year-old woman, MaryAnne, who reluctantly faces the inevitable 50th birthday.  In the production, MaryAnne warms up to her 50th once she meets several remarkable women who show her about fun and friendship after 50.  The remainder of the cast includes Chicago actors Marilynn Bogetich (Lady), Vickie Daignault (Baroness), Rosalyn Rahn Kerins (Dame), Alene Robertson (Contessa), Laura Walls (Duchess) and Kate Young (Princess).

Hats! premiered in Denver in October 2006 to rave reviews and opened in January at Harrah’s New Orleans Casino Hotel.  The Denver Post says “Hats! is an affirmative and joyful celebration of later womanhood. An untapped, ever-flowing goldmine filled with tender moments and endearing songs.” And The Times-Picayune of New Orleans calls it “excitingly performed by a first-rate company of seven women, telling individual stories of the positive reinforcement—nay, magic of the scarlet sombrero.” 

“If you’re 50, you know someone who is 50 or you ever intend to be 50…this is a show for you! We’ve assembled an award-winning team of musical theater veterans (all of who are age 50 or older) to create a musical celebrating the vitality and perseverance of these inspiring people, the true diamonds of our society,” says Melissa Manchester.

“This is THE show for ‘the woman of a certain age’ and everyone who loves her!” says Sue Ellen Cooper, exalted queen mother of The Red Hat Society. 

Directed by Tony award-nominee Lynne Taylor-Corbett (Swing!), Hats! features a score of original songs by some of today’s most celebrated songwriters, including three- time Tony Award-winner Doug Besterman, Tony-nominated lyricist Susan Birkenhead, Tony-nominated composer-lyrist Carol Hall, Tony-nominated composer and three-time Academy Award nominee Henry Krieger,  Grammy Award-winners Melissa Manchester and Pam Tillis, Golden Globe-winner Amanda McBroom as well as Kathie Lee Gifford, Michele Brourman, Pat Bunch, Gretchen Cryer, Anthony Dodge, Sharon Vaughn, Beth Falcone, David Friedman, David Goldsmith and Stephen Lawrence.

The Red Hat Society is a self-proclaimed dis-organization for women over 50 from all walks of life who come together for one reason: to have fun.  The Red Hat Society officially formed in 1987 when Sue Ellen Cooper and a group of five friends, dressed in purple clothing and red hats, met for afternoon tea.  The word quickly spread and over the years The Red Hat Society has become the fastest and largest growing women’s movement in the United States.  The Red Hat Society has created a worldwide sisterhood by forming more than 40,000 chapters across all 50 states and in 30 countries, including Canada, Australia, Mexico and as far as Japan and Egypt.  For more information on the Red Hat Society, visit www.redhatsociety.com.

Preview performances for Hats! are Friday, April 20 – Friday, April 27.  Performance times for previews are Tuesday – Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.  Ticket prices for the preview performances are $47. 

The regular performance schedule, which begins Tuesday, May 1 and runs through Sunday, June 10, is as follows: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.  Ticket prices for the six-week engagement featuring Melissa Manchester are $49.50 and can be purchased at the Royal George Box Office box office, 1641 North Halsted, or by phone at 312-988-9000.  Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster, 312-902-1500, Ticketmaster.com or all Ticketmaster ticket centers. For more information on the show, visit www.hatsthemusical.com.