MELISSA MANCHESTER WILL STAR IN THE CHICAGO PREMIER OF HATS!

Melissa Manchester, one of the composers in Hats! will be one of the stars of the new musical's Chicago premiere.

Hats!, currently playing in New Orleans, will begin previews at the Royal George Theatre on April 29th and run until June 10th. The show premiered at the New Denver Civic Center last year.

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 original songs from 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.

Manchester's theatre credits include Sweeney Todd and Song and Dance, and she is the creator of the musical I Sent a Letter to My Love. The singer/songwriter has penned hit songs such as "Come In from the Rain," "Midnight Blue," and "Don't Cry Out Loud."

"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. Since its creation in 1998, The Red Hat Society has created a worldwide sisterhood with more than 40,000 chapters across 50 states, and in 30 countries, including Canada, Australia, Mexico, and as far as Japan and Egypt.”

The Royal George Theatre is at 1641 North Halsted in Chicago, IL. Tickets are $49.50 – call (312) 902-1500 or www.ticketmaster.com. For more information go to: www.hatsthemusical.com.