August 4th - October 13th • June 23 - July 28th • May 4th - June 9th
October 13, 2006
Dear Red Hatters:
Staged at the New Denver Civic Theatre this past Saturday, each performance of HATS! was sold out. We had Red Hatters from all over the nation from Canada to South Carolina., and almost all of the states in the west, plus local dignitaries and avid theater-goers that roared with laughter and rousing applause.
On October 11, we invited the press and the composers to see the show in full color. The news media showed up to interview everyone including our EQM Sue Ellen Cooper. Celebrities who walked the red carpet included recording artists Melissa Manchester, Kathie Lee Gifford, Sharon Vaughn, David Freeman, Gretchen Cryer and Carol Hall.
It was amazing for us all. We're very proud of our musical. How thrilling to have a musical designed by such talented performers that was inspired by OUR mission, experiences and our stories. Also, Harrah's announced that they will be launching HATS! in their entertainment casino in New Orleans next January!
MM***
October 06, 2006
Dear Red Hatters:
Its Here!
Now the excitement about "HATS!" has risen to a frenzied pitch around here! All of those directly involved in the show (performers, director, producer, etc.) are in Denver with me, rehearsing like crazy! Lynne Taylor Corbett, the director, started the rehearsal with the cast in full costume on stage last Wednesday. The lighting is being fine-tuned and all other finishing touches are being made. The first performance in front of an audience is this Saturday night, with the world premiere and press party to follow on Wednesday, October 11.
The Baroness of the Brand (Carol) and the EQM Sue Ellen fly to Denver tomorrow and will be in the audience every night, from Saturday to Wednesday. Lady Bug and others from Hatquarters are coming a bit later on. I think it's safe to say that there are a lot of excited Red Hatters in - or on their way to - Denver right now!
What an amazing time, the producer, the director, the stars, the writers - all of these major forces whose talents have combined to create this play will be there with bells on. This includes Kathie Lee Gifford, Melissa Manchester, Susan Birkenhead and others! If you want to get tickets, call the box office at (303) 309-3773
So ladies, Put Your Red Hat On and Get Tickets today
MM***
September 15, 2006
Dear Red Hatters:
Count Down! The full-scale rehearsals of our musical are going full throttle in New York. The technical director and the sound designer from the Denver theater are flying to New York to meet with the rest of the crew. Then, during the last week of this month the entire company travels to Denver for final rehearsals in the New Denver Civic Theater where it premieres - in only a few short weeks! Those of you who managed to stay up 'til the wee hours on Labor Day surely enjoyed actress Teri Ralston's performance of a song from "HATS!" on the Jerry Lewis Telethon.
The theater world is buzzing with excitement too. You can read about HATS! somewhere almost every day.
So ladies, Put Your Red Hat On and Get Tickets today
MM
***
September 01, 2006
Dear Red Hatters:
Several hundred Red Hatters were among the lucky ones to see a sneak
preview of "HATS! The Musical For The Rest Of Your Life" during the first
rehearsal runs in August. The best critics are among our own and we want to
share some of their comments with you:
"It was wonderful! I just enjoyed it. Put you red hat on!"
-- Kathryn
Ullrick, Whippany, New Jersey
"It was spectacular. Better than I ever thought it would be. I related to
everything! By the way, my oven is still hot!"
-- Rosalie Travers, Red
Birds; Brooklyn, New York
"Wow! It covers a nice broad range of life experiences. It's hilarious. The
music...fantastic!"
-- Barbara Mracek, Madame Butterfly; New Jersey
"Just fantastic. Sends the right message. The younger people will see there
is life after 50!"
-- Janet Wells, Dizzy Dames of Unknown Fame; New Jersey
"The show was awesome! A real message to many of us. Worthwhile and
wonderful to see."
-- Gail Blum, Hotsie Totsies; Hawthorne, New Jersey
MM
***
August 18, 2006
Dashing To Denver - HATS! Mural Wall Unveiling
The Baroness of the Brand (Carol Yovin), your Exalted Queen Mother and I
had the pleasure of flying to Denver this week to visit the New Denver Civic
Theatre where "HATS! The New Musical for The Rest Of Your Life" will make
its debut in October. This theater is really getting into our play - in a
big (89-foot long) way! They had the entire side of the building painted
bright purple, in our honor. In addition, at one end of this vast expanse,
they have painted a great big HATS! logo! Sue Ellen purely because of her
EQM status, was invited to put the finishing touches on the logo, filling in
the period below the exclamation point. We have already arranged for members
of The Red Hat Society to buy discounted tickets through the New Denver
Civic Theatre. For single tickets, call (303) 309-3773 and (303) 309-6787
for group tickets.
MM
***
August 4, 2006
Dear Red Hatters:
Last Tuesday, several of us from Sibling Entertainment hosted EQM Sue Ellen
and "Lady Bug" Debra Granich from Hatquarters at the first rehearsal run
right here in New York City.
The royal Red Hatters were quite pleased with our first full dress
rehearsal. After the show, Lady Bug told us, "It was an unbelievable
experience seeing a play inspired by our RHS. I was beaming with pride
during the entire musical. The actors were amazing and the music is great!"
Overall, the Hatters said what they saw exceeded their expectations. We
producers appreciate getting feedback from those that see the sneak
previews. So, we're going to make some minor changes to tweak the production
before opening night in Denver.
Before leaving to go back to California, Lady Bug told us, ³Bravo to
'Hats!' I couldn¹t help keep my tears from running down my cheeks because we
all have an understanding that women 50 and over are not done yet; we are
just entering a new chapter in our lives. Red Hatters, Pink Hatters, non Red
Hat women, young adults and men will all love the musical."
This weekend, several hundred Hatters will be among the first to see the
preview performances. And I'm thrilled to report that all shows are
"SOLD-OUT!"
MM