Ron Abel News

The brilliant Klea Blackhurst repeated her starring role as the saucy, wisecracking housemaid Hazel in a new musical based on Ted Key's cartoon character Hazel - best known for the 1961-66 TV sitcom of the same name. Titled 'Hazel: A Musical Maid in America', the four Lab Workshop performances were May 28 and 29 at the Lyric Theatre Performance Space in Times Square. Scroll down for a peek at the cast onstage!

On Sunday, May 17, the Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present the award-winning cabaret performer Jamie deRoy, along with Broadway stars Lena Hall (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Cady Huffman (The Producers), Judy Kaye (The Phantom of the Opera and Nice Work If You Can Get It), Pamela Myers (original cast member of the six time Tony-winning Company and Tony nominee for Snoopy), Kevin Meaney (Hairspray) and Hugh Panaro (Phantom of the Opera) on her Multi MAC award-winning Variety Show, Jamie deRoy & friends. Scroll down for photos!

Jamie deRoy came to Jim Caruso's Broadway at Birdland last night and Broadwayworld was there. In the world of show business everyone is always everyones friend. After 25 years of having enormously talented friends perform on her stages and loyal friends fill the seats at her shows, the consistency of participation points to the fact that most are real friends. Jamie's friends stick together. The hugs are real, the laughter is genuine, and the happy feeling everyone has after an episode of Jamie deRoy & friends always seems to linger in the air for many days after the show is over.  Such was the case of her latest entry in the series which always at this time of year features everything "TONY".

Just because the English developed the first operational Radar system doesn't mean that the actor/singer Giselle Wolf who has a home in London should be under it. There was a celebration last night as this wonderfully unique cabaret performer stepped out from under the radar and became visible to a jam-packed Metropolitan Room. Check out photos from the event, below!

Back on the New York City stage following her acclaimed 54 Below debut in 2014, actress/singer/performer Michele Lee is bringing her much-anticipated all new show 'Nobody Does It Like Me: The Music Of Cy Coleman' to supper club 54 Below - 254 West 54th Street NY, NY 10019. This special three-night only engagement runs on June 11th, 12th and 13th at 7pm.

Casting has been announced for the upcoming Equity Lab presentation of the new smash hit musical comedy Hazel: A Musical Maid in America, based on the Saturday Evening Post cartoon character and the multi-Emmy award-winning television series. Klea Blackhurst, who played the title role in the much buzzed about reading of the musical that took place last October, returns as the irrepressible maid. She will be joined by Tony Award nominee Kerry Butler as Dorothy Baxter, Ed Watts as George Baxter, and Tony Award nominee Craig Bierko as Bonkers Johnson. As was previously announced, Lucie Arnaz (who directed the October reading) will direct the presentation. Hazel features a score by Ron Abel (music) and Chuck Steffan (lyrics), a book by Kleban Award winner Lissa Levin, and choreography by Chet Walker.

There are eight million stories in the Naked City-and a song to go with each of them.

It was all in the family and all for the family at The Friars Club last night. La Famiglia, Mishpucha, La Familia, CeMbR, Rat Pack, Broadway and Cabaret, were assembled by producers Laura Slutsky and Jamie at the Friars for a spectacular Jamie deRoy & friends show last night. You had to be in the family or know someone in the family to get into the sold out event. Probably no family gathering had so much fun, good food, and great performances as this one did.

There will be a very special show at the Friars tonight, March 11th. Jamie deRoy will be hosting a an evening of entertainment called 'Family Ties'. Usually Jamie's shows are all about the talented and interesting friends she knows, but for this one, the main requirement will be that these wonderfully entertaining friends have to be related to each other or to a Friar.

Following its much-buzzed-about reading last October, the new musical comedy Hazel: A Musical Maid in America, based on the Saturday Evening Post cartoon character and the multi-Emmy award-winning television series, will embark on the next step in its journey.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: The Cast of Side Show: Added Attractions; Maureen McGovern: Celebrating Women Singer/Songwriters at 54 Below; Columbia University Songbook featuring David Henry Hwang & More; A Sophisticated Ladies Reunion at 54 Below; and 54 Sings A Man of No Importance.

There are eight million stories in the Naked City-and a song to go with each of them.

There will be a very special show at the Friars on Wednesday March 11th. Jamie deRoy will be hosting a an evening of entertainment called 'Family Ties'. Usually Jamie's shows are all about the talented and interesting friends she knows, but for this one, the main requirement will be that these wonderfully entertaining friends have to be related to each other or to a Friar.

This March, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street. Below, find the schedule for upcoming events over the next month.

In the coming weeks, 54 Below revisits some of our favorite Broadway productions with concert events celebrating beloved scores as well as reunions bringing together original company members.

Glamorous names and faces will walk a short red carpet to take the stage at the 5th Annual Joey Awards Ceremony on March 8th, 8pm at the Laurie Beechman Theater.

Alysha Umphress, currently starring in the new Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN, and Tony Award-nominated composer and performer Jeff Blumenkrantz just celebrated their new album, I've Been Played: Alysha Umphress Swings Jeff Blumenkrantz with a concert at Birdland (315 W. 44th Street, New York, NY 10036). Check out photos from te special night below!

New York's Metropolitan Room is in the midst of shocking the entertainment world with an unprecedented, pull-out-the-stops programming initiative to kick off 2015. For three days -- Thursday January 1 at 7pm to Sunday January 4 at 7am -- the intimate concert venue will stage its first 'Marathon Variety Show,' with continuous entertainment for 60 hours straight. Check out photos from the show below!