Review Roundup: World Premiere of HAZEL in Chicago

Drury Lane Theatre opened its 2016-2017 season with the World Premiere musical comedy Hazel, A Musical Maid in America, based on the character from the Saturday Evening Post cartoon by Ted Key and the 1960s TV comedy series starring Shirley Booth. Hazel features a book by Lissa Levin, music by Ron Abel, and lyrics by Chuck Steffan. This new musical is directed and choreographed by Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse with musical direction by Roberta Duchak. Hazel through May 29, 2016 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

Let's see what the critics had to say: Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune: The tryout show - which features an often witty (if sometimes telegraphed) book by Lissa Levin, pleasant music by Ron Abel and mostly straight-up lyrics by Chuck Steffan - has some solid assets, most notable of which is a thoroughly charming and engaging central performance by Blackhurst, who is close enough to Booth in delivery and deadpan comedic styling for Hazel to be recognizably Hazel but also brassy and bold enough with her vocals to both drive and anchor the show musically. Frankly, she may well be enough for this all-new and demonstrably enthusiastic comedy to do quite well in Oakbrook Terrace, given that the hard-working Drury Lane audience historically has enjoyed some wacky laughs.

Teresa Budasi, BroadwayWorld: 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.

Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun Times: One thing is for certain: Hazel is not a woman to make a quiet entrance. And Blackhurst (whose Ethel Merman-like pipes are paired with a warmer yet still indomitable spirit), puts her stamp on the role from the moment she strides down an aisle of the theater in her pale blue uniform, playfully engages with members of the audience, and finally arrives on stage declaring "Ya Gonna Need Help."

Kris Vire, Time Out Chicago: The trouble, as it stands now, is that this Hazel feels more like a pilot episode than a stand-alone piece of musical theater. Levin introduces clearly identifiable A-, B- and C-plots: There's the marital tension between uptight lawyer George Baxter (Ken Clark) and his wife, Dorothy (Summer Naomi Smart), as she chooses to go to work full-time as an interior designer; there's also a potential romance between Hazel (Klea Blackhurst), their new Mary Poppins-ish maid, and George's prospective legal client, whackjob entrepreneur Bonkers Johnson (Ed Kross). And then there's a too-loose thread about the Baxters' eight-year-old son, Harold (Casey Lyons), and his pals catching a UFO on film and drawing the attention of a military task force.

Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review: The strength of this new musical is its cast. As Hazel would say, this ensemble of singing/dancing actors is "a doozie!" The production is led by the warm, indomitable talent that is Klea Blackhurst. Fondly remembered for her brassy, Ethel Merman-inspired portrayal of Mama Rose, in Drury Lane's terrific production of "Gypsy" from a few seasons ago, Ms. Blackhurst is the main reason to catch this new show.

Dan Zeff, Theater Reviews by Dan Zeff: It's not that "Hazel?" lacks appeal. It's got a solid leading lady, and the opening night reaction was ostentatiously enthusiastic, as such reactions tend to be on opening nights. "Hazel" has the makings of a good family show, especially with four youngsters prominently featured. But much work needs to be done.

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