Panama Hattie

Panama Hattie

Music	Cole Porter
Lyrics	Cole Porter
Book	Herbert Fields B. G. DeSylva
Productions	1940 Broadway 1942 Film 1943 West End 1954 U.S. Television

Panama Hattie is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Herbert Fields and B. G. DeSylva. It is also the title of a 1942 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical film based upon the play. The title is a play on words, referring to the popular Panama hat.

Pre-Broadway tryouts started at the Shubert Theatre, New Haven on October 3, 1940, and then at the Shubert Theatre, Boston on October 8, 1940.

The musical premiered on Broadway at the 46th Street Theatre on October 30, 1940 and closed on January 3, 1942 after 501 performances. It was directed by Edgar MacGregor, with choreography by Robert Alton and scenic design and costumes by Raoul Pène Du Bois. The cast featured Ethel Merman as Hattie, Arthur Treacher as Vivian, Betty Hutton as Florrie, James Dunn as Nick, Phyllis Brooks as Leila, Joan Carroll as Geraldine, Rags Ragland as Woozy, and Pat Harrington as Skat. Among the dancers were June Allyson,Doris Dowling and Constance Dowling,Betsy Blair, Lucille Bremer and Vera-Ellen.