Center stage.

If This Hat Could Talk, a musical production based on the memoir of Dr. Dorothy Height, will be touring the nation this fall. The stage play opened in Washington, D.C., in June at the historic Lincoln Theater.

Dr. Height, president of the National Council d Negro Women, the largest black women's organization in the country, was already 90 when she published her memoir, Open Wide the Freedom Gates (PublicAffairs, June 2003) [See BIBR, July-August 2003, NONFICTION REVIEWS.]

The show is written, directed and choreographed by Dr. George Faison, a 35-year, Tony Award-winning veteran of the industry. Joe Coleman, an accomplished singer, lyricist, composer and actor, wrote the score.

Tour dates are:

September 1-4, Chicago, Illinois, Arie Crown Theater

September 8-11, New York City, Apollo Theater

September 22-25, Los Angeles, California, Wilshire Ebell Theater

September 30 - October 1, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Liacouras Center

October 26-29, Berkeley, California, Zellerbach Hall

November 10 -13, Dallas, Texas Black Academy of Fine Arts

November 30- December 3, Detroit, Michigan, Music Hall

Dates are subject to change, and additional cities are expected to join the roster. To purchase tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com; and for more information, also log on to: http://vanjoproductions.com/ht_dates.html.

Wayne Dawkins is a frequent contributor to BIBR.