Displaying items by tag: Casey Lyons
No Dusting Off Needed for "Hazel: A Musical Maid in America"
Who remembers the 1960s TV show “Hazel”? It may not be as easily recollected as such classics as “The Dick Van Dyke Show”, “The Andy Griffith Show” or “I Love Lucy”, but for those who loved 1960s sitcoms back in the day or have been introduced to them thanks to networks like ME TV, it would be hard to forget Hazel, the lovable, take-charge maid played by Shirley Booth, who treasured nothing more than taking care of the Baxter family. Now, some fifty or so years later Drury Lane Theatre presents the World Premiere “Hazel: A Musical Maid in America” as an ode to the silver age of television.
Directed and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse, “Hazel” brings a new adventure to the dutiful maid and Baxter family. When Dorothy Baxter wants to go back to work much to husband George Baxter’s lack of support, enter Hazel who is hired to maintain the family’s home and take care of young Harold Baxter. A story in itself as Dorothy tries to take on the world of interior design with a corporate gig and wonders if she still has what it takes to succeed, the plot takes a twist when Harold believes he has captured a photo of a U.F.O. It doesn’t take much for word to get out of his spaceship sighting and for the Air Force to get involved. Kind of out there but remember we are talking about an era where U.F.O. scares were not so uncommon and TV was getting blitzed by series that included space ships and aliens. So the tie in actually makes sense.
The evolution of Hazel continues. What began as a single-panel cartoon in the Saturday Evening Post back in 1943, was then brought to life in 1961 as a popular sitcom that went on to span five seasons. Hazel was not only known for keeping a spot-free home, but it was her big heart and droll sense of humor that made her one of TV’s most beloved heroines of the early to mid-1960s. In “Hazel: A Musical Maid for America” Klea Blackhurst admirably takes on the role as the tough as nails housekeeper, injecting just the right dose of humor and no-nonsense into her character while offering a dynamic vocal range in many of the show’s numbers.
Both Ken Clark and Summer Naomi Smart are finely cast as George and Dorothy Baxter and are highly convincing as the 1960s married couple, gelling well with each other. Each also displays a finely tuned vocal presence of their own with Smart really lighting up the stage in her back to work number “Sheer Perfection”. The cast is well rounded and provides outstanding contributions from Ed Kross as Hazel’s love interest Bonkers Johnson, Casey Lyons as Harold Baxter and a strong ensemble that is highlighted by Bill Bannon and Meghan Murphy.
Boasting a very impressive, ever-changing set that really enhances the 1960s essence, “Hazel” is an entertaining spectacle as much as it is a fun, light-hearted comedy that gets its digs in at the male narrow-mindedness of the era and delves into the accepting of those for who they are. With plenty of energetic musical number laced with humor and wit, we are presented with a well-rounded comedy that comes with a nice measure of nostalgia.
“Hazel: A Musical Maid in America”, a presentation full of clean humor (pun intended), a fun story and enjoyable big show numbers, is being performed at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook through May 20th. For tickets and/or more show information, visit www.DruryLaneTheatre.com.
Chicago Opera Theater presents Chicago leg of the world premiere tour of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s newest opera Before It All Goes Dark May 25 & 26 at the Studebaker Theater
23 April 2024 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Opera Theater (COT), Chicago’s foremost producer of new and reimagined opera, closes its 50th Anniversary season presenting the final performances of…
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre announces 2024 season - celebrates local artists and two of the most significant Black female writers of the past 50 years
23 April 2024 in Upcoming TheatreTim Rhoze, Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, has announced the company's 2024 season of four productions. The season will open with…
Comedy & magic collide in RIDICULOUS! with David Williamson, May 16-June 30 at Rhapsody Theater
23 April 2024 in Theatre in ReviewDavid Williamson, regarded as one of the top magicians in the world today, makes his Rhapsody Theater debut with Ridiculous! Known for his tours…
Oh Baby, Baby: BABY the Musical at Citadel Theatre
22 April 2024 in Theatre ReviewsIt’s often said that in the workplace you should refrain from talking about politics and religion; too personal, too easy…
Ballet 5:8's 'Lost Women of Juárez' in a word - evocative!
22 April 2024 in Dance in ReviewBALLET 5:8 is a female - and minority-led ballet company resident at Harris Theatre in Millenium Park. Under the leadership…
Northlight Theatre’s BROOKLYN LAUNDRY Highlights Solid Acting and Thought-Provoking Script
21 April 2024 in Theatre in ReviewWhen life’s chaos is full of impossible choices, how are we possibly meant to move forward? Brooklyn Laundry is about…
Babes with Blades triumph over time and space in THE S PARADOX!
20 April 2024 in Theatre in ReviewI would absolutely bomb out of jury selection cos I have a very definite bias: I’ve been a fan(atic) of…
No Trouble with Marriott Theatre’s Music Man
19 April 2024 in Theatre in ReviewYou got trouble, my friends, if you’re going to put on Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. If you’re going to…
Alvin Ailey in Transition: A Poignant Performance at the Auditorium Theatre
19 April 2024 in Dance in ReviewThis year's Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 65th-anniversary engagement at Chicago's historic Auditorium Theatre held particular importance as it marked…
Emile Zola Adaptation 'Nana' Is a Triumph at Magical Trap Door Theater
15 April 2024 in Theatre in ReviewFor the final show of its 30th anniversary season, Trap Door Theatre—the little company that could—has selected a sure-fire hit…
Auditorium Theatre Announces vibrant 2024-25 Season
15 April 2024 in Upcoming TheatreChicago’s National Landmark Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly announces its 2024-25 performance season presenting a vibrant mix of…
Chicago Writers' Bloc Announces 2024 New Play Festival May 5 - 19 at Theater Wit
15 April 2024 in Theatre in ReviewChicago Writers' Bloc has announced the lineup of plays and musicals for its biennial festival of new plays, to be…
Hershey Felder Brilliant as Monsieur Chopin
14 April 2024 in Theatre in ReviewIf you appreciate classical music and captivating stories about brilliant artists from the past, Hershey Felder’s one-man show, Monsieur Chopin:…
Jackalope Theatre Announces Cast and Creative Team for the World Premiere of THE SINGULARITY PLAY, May 19 - June 22
11 April 2024 in Upcoming TheatreJackalope Theatre Company continues its 16th season at Edgewater’s Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd., with the announcement of the cast…
Spanish Language Magic Shows at Rhapsody Theater to celebrate Cinco de Mayo
11 April 2024 in Upcoming TheatreBorn and raised in Mexico City, Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD, Chicago’s own Physician Magician, will celebrate the festive Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend by…
Court Theatre’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead Features Fabulous Ensemble with Striking Design
09 April 2024 in Theatre in ReviewThe Player (Lorenze Rush Jr) has just run into Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with his troupe of players. As he explains…
'COCK' is f***king amazing!
08 April 2024 in Theatre in ReviewThose were my first words when I left the performance of COCK to David Zak, producer and resident wizard of…
Enchanting Feats: A glowing review of ‘Look Closer with Joshua Jay’
07 April 2024 in Theatre in ReviewIf you’re a magic enthusiast, Joshua Jay’s captivating new show, Look Closer, is currently enchanting audiences at the Rhapsody Theater. But even…
Welcome to The Jungle: The Choir of Man Rocks Chicago
06 April 2024 in Theatre ReviewsSometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name. Sometimes you want to be surrounded by people to experience the…
About Face Theatre announces casting for Midwest Premiere of Lavender Men
04 April 2024 in Upcoming TheatreAbout Face Theatre announces casting for the Midwest Premiere production of Lavender Men by Roger Q. Mason, directed by Lucky Stiff, running May 9 -June 8,…
CUT TO THE CHASE festival of one-act plays returns May 2-5 with theme "Face-to-Face" at The Den Theatre
04 April 2024 in Upcoming TheatreThe Artistic Home Studio will present the 2024 edition of its CUT TO THE CHASE festival of new one act…
Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents the World Premiere of POOR PEOPLE! The Parody Musical
02 April 2024 in Upcoming TheatreHell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 22nd season with the world premiere of POOR PEOPLE! The Parody Musical, an…
'American Fiction' Oscar Boosts Percival Everett's Latest Work, 'James,' at 'Authors on Tap'
01 April 2024 in Theatre in ReviewAuthor Percival Everett is having his moment, and Exile in Bookville gave us a chance to meet him up close…
The Physical Theater Festival Chicago Returns July 13 - 21 with its 11th Annual Edition
31 March 2024 in Upcoming TheatrePhysical Theater Festival Chicago is proud to announce the complete lineup for its 11th anniversary celebration, July 13 - 21. The Festival begins…
Review: Jersey Boys at Mercury Theatre
29 March 2024 in Theatre in Review‘Jersey Boys’ is back in Chicago, bringing with it a little East Coast to the Third Coast. The hit Broadway…
Take Flight and Feel the Magic with ‘Peter Pan: The Hit Broadway Musical'
28 March 2024 in Theatre in ReviewAfter many years without seeing the movie or reading the story of Peter Pan, the moment I learned that Peter Pan:…
Casting for Lifeline Theatre’s production of “Native Son” adapted by Chicagoan Nambi E. Kelley, May 10 - June 30
28 March 2024 in Upcoming TheatreLifeline Theatre and Artistic Director ILesa Duncan announce the casting for Chicagoan Nambi E. Kelley's "gutsy, powerful, and relentless" adaptation of Richard Wright's powerful introspection…
A.B.L.E. presents "The Odyssey" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on May 11
27 March 2024 in Upcoming TheatreA.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations—a Chicago-based nonprofit that creates theatre and film for, with, and by individuals with Down syndrome…
Review: Remy Bumppo Theatre Company's "Love Song' at Theater Wit
26 March 2024 in Theatre in ReviewWhen a play’s opening moment is mystifying and its closing moment is satisfying, the stuff in between must be doing…
“Navigating Family, Truth, and Legacy: A Must-See Journey in ‘Purpose’”
26 March 2024 in Theatre in ReviewThe expansive, opulent home exudes an air of solid middle-class comfort, boasting a formal dining area, an upright piano, and…
Latest Articles
-
Chicago Opera Theater presents Chicago leg of the world premiere tour of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s newest opera Before It All Goes Dark May 25 & 26 at the Studebaker Theater
Written by Buzz Center StageChicago Opera Theater (COT), Chicago’s foremost producer of new and reimagined opera, closes its 50th Anniversary season presenting the final performances of the world premiere tour of Before It All Goes Dark, the latest opera by the most famous American opera writing duo working… -
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre announces 2024 season - celebrates local artists and two of the most significant Black female writers of the past 50 years
Written by Buzz Center StageTim Rhoze, Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, has announced the company's 2024 season of four productions. The season will open with the original musical 1619: THE JOURNEY OF A PEOPLE by Chicago writer and performer Ted Williams III. The musical commemorates the arrival…
-
Comedy & magic collide in RIDICULOUS! with David Williamson, May 16-June 30 at Rhapsody Theater
Written by Buzz Center StageDavid Williamson, regarded as one of the top magicians in the world today, makes his Rhapsody Theater debut with Ridiculous! Known for his tours with Circus 1903 and The Illusionists on Broadway, Williamson’s Ridiculous! is a brand new solo full-length magic production created for The Rhapsody Theater. Mixing mind-bending…
-
Ballet 5:8's 'Lost Women of Juárez' in a word - evocative!
Written by Sarz MaxwellBALLET 5:8 is a female - and minority-led ballet company resident at Harris Theatre in Millenium Park. Under the leadership of co-founder, Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager the company is ‘dedicated to engaging communities in conversations of…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.