Panama Hattie

See it if Brightly performed Cole Porter songs with clever lyrics. Charismatic child actress. Catchy tune, "Let's Be Buddies".

Don't see it if I saw all 3 CP shows in the York series, and liked this one the least. It was more dated, and had less humor, musical interest & charm.

See it if If you are a Cole Porter fan. This show isn't done often mostly because of it's silly plot. But if you are in for good music & fun, go!

Don't see it if You are looking for a drama, or a cohesive plot. Don't like Porter's music. Also be aware that Mufti prod. are minimal sets, & rehearsal.

Also Despite the books in hand, this was a fun evening. The lead had an amazing voice! And it's interesting to see the speed at which the plot flies by in these revived musicals.... Read more Read less

See it if you like musicals from this era, Cole Porter or Ethel Merman. This plot is as thin as tissue paper, but who cares? It will make you happy!

Don't see it if You have high expectations for captivating plots in a musical, or if you don't care for old musicals in general.

Also One doesn't go to a musical like this expecting the kind of transformational experience that many have at something like Hamilton, Rather, one goes to understand the roots of American Musicals. That said, this one is a doozy, and worth every minute and nickel you spend on it. Klea Blackhurst is perfect in the Merman role, as she always is. I have never laughed so hard or loud at the York as I did Sunday night. There are some so-so songs, but also some terrific standouts: This is Cole Porter, after all. Go see it, because no one will ever do it again as well as its being done here. Forget your troubles, enjoy, and you will not regret it!... Read more Read less

See it if you're a Cole Porter fan. A terrific cast on book in a story that's surprisingly touching at times. An entertaining evening.

Don't see it if the Mufti concept (no sets, small cast on book, two-piece "orchestra") is not for you.

Also I never got to see Ethel in person, but Klea Blackhurst is just terrific as Hattie. I liked the whole cast, especially Kylie Kuioka, a little dynamo, with great pipes and a stage presence that belies her young age.... Read more Read less

See it if You really are desperate for a Cole Porter fix. You want to see what passed for entertainment in 1940.

Don't see it if Bare-bones old musical on short rehearsal with scripts in hand, piano and bass, no sets no costumes.

Also I'm all in favor of reviving old musicals as an historical exercise. But after reading the 1940 New York Times review of the smash Cole Porter hit "Panama Hattie" extolling the lavish sets and costumes, bounty of beautiful girls, outstanding choreography, and brilliant timing of its cast of Broadway veterans starring Ethel Merman, I realize a Mufti production working with time and budget handicaps won't ever be able to do justice to this show. The Cole Porter songs remain, but the script shows all its seams, the short rehearsal time results in blown lines and mis-timed jokes.
On the plus side, Klea Blaackhurst does a wonderful imitation of Ethel Merman and keeps the momentum going and little Kylie Kuioka is cute enough to give child actors a good name.
The whole cast gets an "A" for effort and you find yourself rooting for them to succeed.
But what we get is the skeleton of a show that was all flesh and flash.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy Cole Porter’s songs in a sweet story. Great talent in a small venue. Marvelous!

Don't see it if You want a big show or don’t like to old standards.

See it if you want to have fun. The actors are great-- especially gratifying to see such supporting players as Jay Aubrey Jones & Casey Shuler shine.

Don't see it if you want to miss seldom heard tuneful & clever Cole Porter compositions. Several songs make no sense plot-wise but are a delight here.

See it if Klea Blackhurst was born to play Merman musical comedy heroines, and she does the Merm's memory justice here, as well as others in the cast.

Don't see it if The show's hardly worth a visit, much less a revival. The book is tired and the score isn't close to Porter's best.

See it if You're a Cole Porter fan; you like old musicals; you like unmiked voices; you're a Klea Blackhurst fan; you're a completist.

Don't see it if If you don't like silly musicals, staged readings, or small bands. (For full review, go to showshowdown.blogspot.com)

See it if you like old Cole Porter musicals

Don't see it if you want a little more relevance in yur musicals

Also A musical from the 40's. Fun, tuneful Cole Porter songs.
Very good singing typical of The York Theater.
Just go to be entertained and don't expect any deep thinking or moralizing.
Ethel Merman imitator sometime catches Merman's vocals.... Read more Read less