Directed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, the production boasts the talents of Leslie Alexander, Miche Braden, Joy Franz, Nora Mae Lyng, Pamela Myers, Teri Ralston and Cheryl Stern. Written by Marcia Milgrom Dodge and Anthony Dodge, Hats! is based on the ideas of The Red Hat Society and features songs by Doug Besterman, Susan Birkenhead, Michele Brourman, Pat Bunch, Gretchen Cryer, Anthony Dodge, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Beth Falcone, David Friedman, Kathie Lee Gifford, Carol Hall, Henry Krieger, Stephen Lawrence, Melissa Manchester, Amanda McBroom, Pam Tillis and Sharon Vaughn.

Hats, according to press notes, concerns 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."

At left (from top): Melissa Manchester and Kathie Lee Gifford arrive at the opening night of Hats!; David Friedman, Pamela Myers and David Zippel; Joy Franz and Teri Ralston; sibling producers Mitchell and Victoria Maxwell.

Below: The cast of Hats! takes their world-premiere opening bows.

photos by H.E. Yhoman