Celebrating the legendary Cole Porter, The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director) launches their 50th Anniversary Celebration with the 2019 Fall Musicals in Mufti series featuring three shows which highlight the genius of Mr Porter through his music and lyrics at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s (E 54th St, just east of Lexington Ave). These musical theatre gems, performed in a simply-staged, book-in-hand concert format, are part of the Muftis’ twenty-sixth historic year of presenting shows from the past that deserve a second look. Mufti means “in street clothes, without the trappings associated with a full production.” Opening the Fall 2019 Series is Fifty Million Frenchmen with music and lyrics by Mr Porter and book by Herbert Fields, adapted by Tommy Krasker and Evans Haile. The year is 1929, the month is June. It's the season when all the Americans invade Paris—and all the Parisians leave town. This will be the revised version created by Tommy Krasker and Evans Haile for a 1991 concert presentation, emphasizing its remarkable score. Haile, The York’s Executive Director, will also be Music Director, and the production will be directed by Hans Friedrichs. Perfs begin Sat Sept 28 and continue through October 6, 2019. Opening Night will be Sun Sept 29. The second show in the series is The Decline and Fall of the Entire World as Seen Through the Eyes of Cole Porter, originally created and directed by Ben Bagley. The irreverent musical journey, originally conceived by Ben Bagley in 1965, travels the globe through an array of gems from the vast Porter canon, both familiar and forgotten. The "world" under scrutiny is that between 1919 and 1945 when, indeed, some considerable declining and falling went on. Pamela Hunt directs. Perfs begin Sat Oct 12 with an opening on Sun Oct 13 and continue through Oct 20. Closing out the 2019 Fall Mufti series is the 1940’s hit musical Panama Hattie, with music and lyrics by Mr Porter and book by Herbert Fields and B.G. DeSylva. Cole Porter and Ethel Merman teamed up for their fourth hit with 1940's Panama Hattie, in which a brassy nightclub owner must bid for the approval of her fiancé’s family—a task only made more complicated when she discovers a plan to blow up the Panama Canal. Klea Blackhurst will star in the title role. Michael Montel directs. Perfs begin Sat Oct 26, opening Sun Oct 27 through Nov 3. Press contact: Philip Carruba/Richard Hillman PR (917/523-8849)...