HATS! April 29, 2007

HATS! Holdings, Inc., Sibling Theatricals, Inc. and BG Productions, LLC announce that starting July 11, TV star and Chicagoland native Betsy Randle will take over the lead role from Melissa Manchester in HATS!, the popular, critically acclaimed music and comedy celebration now playing at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted. Tickets for HATS! are $55 and are on sale now for performances through Sunday, Aug. 26.

Randle is known for her seven year role as Amy Matthews on the popular Disney sitcom Boy Meets World. Randle also starred in several episodes of the hit shows Charmed and Home Improvement. Additionally, she has appeared in Family Ties, Baywatch, and numerous other popular TV programs, as well as the independent film Urban Mythology. A member of the Alliance Repertory Theater in Burbank, California, Randle performed in the Garry Williams original play, RAIN. In Chicago, her stage career included acclaimed roles in TRIBUTE and A SUMMER AT BLUE FISH COVE. Originally from Glenview, Randle is a graduate of New Trier High School.

HATS! is a new, critically acclaimed musical comedy that takes a hilarious look at one womans struggle with her impending birthday that ends in a big 0. This original musical comedy will make you laugh, cry, and cheer as you see how six women handle the trials and good times that occur in the journey of life. These women find that there is a spirit of sisterhood and an innate ability to celebrate life, regardless of the circumstances, when they have friends with whom they can share these experiences. Featuring hilarious and provocative new songs by a team of Grammy, Golden Globe and Tony award winning songwriters, HATS! is a fabulous musical celebration for women and for the men who love them.

The current cast includes veteran Chicago actors Marilynn Bogetich (Lady), Vickie Daignault (Baroness), Rosalyn Rahn Kerins (Dame), Elizabeth Gelman (Contessa/Ruby), Laura Walls (Duchess) and Kate Young (Princess). Jane Brewer and Wydetta Carter understudy.

HATS! premiered in Denver in October 2006, opened in January at Harrahs New Orleans Casino Hotel and premiered in Chicago at the Royal George Theatre April 29, to rave reviews. The Chicago Tribune says HATS! is a music-and-comedy celebration.It will make a lot of people feel empowered. It does so with integrity, craft and heart. The Chicago Sun-Times says these are highly polished performers and Variety raves This is a feel-good show thats really about feeling good. HATS! is JEFF Recommended and a Chicago Tribune Critics Choice.

Directed by Tony award-nominee Lynne Taylor-Corbett (Swing!), HATS! features a score of original songs by some of todays 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