Review: Despite Solid Performances, HAZEL was Maid-for-TV, Not Theater

Folks of a certain age might remember Hazel, the spunky, middle-aged maid upon which a 1960s television sitcom was based. She often clashed with her boss, George Baxter - or Mr. B. as Hazel insists on calling him. A wife, Dorothy, and young son, Harold, rounded out the family unit.

Now, 50 years later, she's on stage, taking care of the same family, only this time she's cracking wise via song and dance. If memory serves, TV Hazel was well ensconced in the Baxter household, which she ran with a sharp tongue and a soft heart. In this brand new stage version, HAZEL: A MUSICAL MAID IN AMERICA, directed and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse and enjoying its world premiere at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, Hazel is applying for the job and given a backstory - and a love interest!

Klea Blackhurst kills it in the title role. Channeling both Shirley Booth (the TV Hazel) and Ethel Merman, Blackhurst delivers the goods - enough so that she should be the glue that ties everything together. You want her to be that glue. Unfortunately, the glue isn't strong enough.

The talent is solid. There's not a weak singer in the bunch, and the four children in this show are outstanding; future stars to be sure. Casey Lyons, who plays Harold, provides the one true moment in HAZEL to which the audience can connect, in "Space," a sweet, beautifully rendered song that should have been left alone. About halfway through, the song becomes a duet with George, and boom! Connection lost. This is no knock on Ken Clark, who is splendid as George, and a fine singer (he shares a particularly shining scene with a goldfish). But the moment was perfect and more powerful with George looking on from afar at the son he loves but doesn't quite understand.

Harold, you see, is so obsessed with the U.S. space program (TV's "Hazel" aired at the same time the Mercury astronauts became celebrities) that he wears a space helmet at all times, and George worries about him being an oddball with no friends except the nerdy ones he already has. The thing is, those nerdy friends are awesome, and Harold is perfect just the way he is. The modern audience can clearly see that, so the dated worries of a square, detached father don't translate very well.

Another marker of the time period is the burgeoning women's movement. Dorothy Baxter (Summer Naomi Smart) has entered the working world, and George isn't entirely on board. He doesn't make too big a fuss about it because he sincerely believes she won't last two weeks out of the house. He even makes a bet with Hazel to that effect. Little does he realize that Hazel is a feminist before her time who can spot another one. This theme translates a little better, even foreshadowing the now real possibility of a woman president.

Some individual numbers are fun and well done. There's a clever ensemble/duet in Act I, with George and Dorothy in the house discussing Dorothy going to work, and all the kids (Lyons, with Tyler Martin, Ava Morse and Rowan Moxley) outside looking at the sky in "Life Will Never Be the Same Again, which intersects the two main themes of the show.

Also in Act I, Hazel and the chorus mix it up in "Super Market Suite," which allows Blackhurst show off some dance moves along with her singing chops.

Ed Kross, as Bonkers Johnson, a potential client of George and love interest for Hazel, is in fine form as comic relief, but his entire character could be cut from the show. Giving Hazel a boyfriend seems an odd creative choice that doesn't add to the story. No spoilers here, but let's just say the feminist theme might be stronger without it.

The various parts of HAZEL are enjoyable enough. And even though the sum of the parts don't quite add up to a satisfying whole, there are lessons to be learned that bear repeating in any day and age: 1) It's OK to be yourself, and 2) Women can be whatever they want to be.

"I'm a workin' woman. What I do matters," Hazel, the would-be glue, declares toward the end of the show.

Amen, sister.

An observational note: If you were sitting on the aisle on opening night, you got an up-close look at Hazel in her blue maid's dress, white apron, sensible black pumps, simple wristwatch and white headpiece (what exactly is that thing called?). What stood out on this costume was the sparkly cocktail ring on her right hand. It's not out of the realm of possibility that a maid would own a cocktail ring, but to wear it while cleaning house? Not likely.

Hazel runs through May 29 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Tickets are $45-$60 ($30 for students). Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes. For more information: (630) 530-0111; DruryLaneTheatre.com.

Photo credits: Brett Beiner

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