August 4th - October 13th • June 23 - July 28th • May 4th - June 9th

July 28, 2006

Dear Red Hatters:

Rehearsals have kicked into high gear. As the various musical numbers are rehearsed, the creative directors make edits and additions on the spot. As the fine-tuning takes place, the excitement level ratchets up even more."Yes! That makes it even better!" Collaboration is so stimulating!

The little Ruby RedHat character is gradually coming to life. (Technology can be wonderful!)

Hats and boas have arrived from Hatquarters to help get the cast into the spirit of their characters.

Kathi Lee Gifford and Melissa Manchester have both stopped by to watch their songs being performed. Kathi Lee¹s song reduced everyone in the company to helpless laughter, while Melissa¹s song brought tears to every eye.

Scenery is being developed. Props and costumes are being designed and purchased.

The sensation around here could be compared to what one experiences on a
roller coaster as the car gradually, but steadily approaches the crest before the first big z-o-o-o-m. The big thrill of our premiere is only 10 weeks away!

MM

***

July 21, 2006

Dear Red Hatters:

Casting for our musical has been completed. Myself and an associate saw the first rehearsal this past Monday, and let me tell you that the word"excited," does not begin to describe my feelings! The script and the music are just sensational together. The cast members were laughing, then crying, then laughing again! They are now talking about keeping a daily journal of putting the play together. They want to remember every step of the process because they believe that this is going to be a theatrical milestone and they are proud to be part of it!

The actresses who have been cast are really pouring their hearts into this show. They can fully identify with all of us, because they, too, have had to deal with our culture's tendency to push older women aside as we reach full maturity. Show business is notorious for this kind of thing. Roles for"older" women (even those over 40) are scarce. This is their chance to showcase their undiminished, fully developed talents for the world, and they are thrilled to get the opportunity!

MM

***

July 14, 2006

Dear Red Hatters:

At the auditions held last Friday, July 7 and Monday, July 10, in New York I had the pleasure of experiencing the overwhelming joy embodied by Red Hatters while at the Niagara Falls and St. Louis conventions. I felt this same passion and unwavering dedication to live life without limits while watching auditions. Each woman could not be more thrilled and anxious to bring the HATS! characters to life. Three of these women were in the original cast of Steven Sondheim's ground-breaking musical, Company. One of them played the role of Sally Bowles in the first company of Cabaret. The women were hilarious, they were exciting, they were gorgeous in the many years of experience they brought to the auditioning room.

We want to let you know your own little mascot, Ruby RedHat, has secured a
role in the play! This may be the first time some of us have ever had the chance to see her in person. (You know how shy she can be.)

This musical is going to be just amazing!

MM

***

June 30, 2006

Dear Red Hatters:

It really does seem that there is magic surrounding your disorganization. We've been including tidbits about the development of our musical in every Friday's broadcast, and this one positively (Scarlet) sparkles with relevance: Noted country artist, Pam Tillis, along with co-author, Pat Bunch, has composed one of the songs for our musical. We knew all about Pam Tillis's illustrious career, but we asked for more information about Pat.

Here's what we found out: A sampling of hits written by Pat include "I'll Still be Loving You" (recorded by Restless Heart), "Wild One" (Faith Hill),"Safe in the Arms of Love" (Martina McBride), "Living in a Moment I Would Die For" (Ty Herndon), and "Baby's Gone Blues" (Reba McIntire). Pat started writing songs in her early 30's; she says it took her years to become an"overnight success." She is now 67, and this is her first time writing a song for a musical.

So, Pat Bunch exemplifies one of the Red Hat Society's mottoes: She is not dead, and she is so not done! She puts her money (in this case talent) where her mouth is! Not only is this musical for "us;" it's by "us!"!

MM

***

June 23, 2006

Dear Red Hatters:

This week's buzz about "HATS!" has spread throughout the theatrical community - with a vengeance - and there are Tony® winners, Drama Desk Award® winners, and Obie® winners lining up to work on our show! The selections of a costume designer and a set designer are being finalized, and casting is in progress. Sounds exciting, doesn't it? Anyone who has ever been involved - even in the outer fringes - of "show biz" knows that the mix of creative talents brought to a new venture inevitably brings with it a lot of energy, excitement, and frantic activity; it's just the way things are done in that industry. Isn't it fun to realize that, in this case, all this is happening because of us? When was the last time there was a musical all about "women of a certain age?" Bet you can't think of one - and neither can we!

MM