Drury Lane Presents the World Premiere of HAZEL, A MUSICAL MAID IN AMERICA

Drury Lane Theatre opens 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 comic strip 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 runs March 31 - May 29, 2016 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The Press Opening is Wednesday, April 6 at 8:00 p.m.

It's the 1960s, a time of great change for America, but not all of the Baxter family is on board. What George Baxter finds not so funny-his wife joining the work force and his maid taking over his household and his life-is a laugh riot. Directed and choreographed by Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse, "Hazel" asks the question: can a simple maid debone a turkey, save a marriage, uncover a matter of national security and lead a conga line? She can if she's Hazel!

"From the moment we discovered Hazel, we fell in love with it," said Kyle DeSantis, President of Drury Lane Productions. "The production solidifies our commitment to fostering new work we believe in. Under the incredible direction of Joshua Bergasse, Hazel promises to delight and surprise our audiences."

Hazel is based on one of the most beloved and enduring characters in American popular culture. Hazel, a saucy maid with a wry sense of humor, timeless wisdom, and a heart of gold, was created by cartoonist Ted Key and has been adored for more than 70 years. She first appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1943 as a single-panel cartoon and has been distributed to newspapers by King Features Syndicate since 1969, even though Key retired in 1993 and died in 2008. Hazel was brought to life by Shirley Booth on a TV sitcom of the same name that ran in prime time from 1961-1966, earning Booth two Emmy Awards to go with her Academy Award and three Tony Awards.

The cast of Hazel includes Klea Blackhurst (Hazel), Ken Clark (George Baxter), Summer Naomi Smart (Dorothy Baxter), Casey Lyons (Harold Baxter), Tyler Martin (Scotty Ferber), Ava Morse (Benedetta Bomicino), Rowan Moxley (Reuben Steuben), and Ed Kross (Bonkers Johnson). The ensemble includes Bill Bannon, Johnson Brock, Courtney Cerny, Brian M. Duncan, Roy Gantz, Rhett Guter, Terrance Martin, Shari Mocheit, Meghan Murphy, Kristen Noonan, Gerard Salvador and Holly Stauder.

The creative team includes Kevin Depinet (Set Design), Sully Ratke (Costume Design), Lee Fiskness (Lighting Design), Christopher Ash (Projection Design), Ray Nardelli (Sound Design) and Lucia Lombardi (Production Stage Manager).

2016 - 2017 Season and Subscription Information

Following Hazel, Drury Lane's 2016 - 2017 season will continue with Ira Levin's murder mystery Deathtrap, June 9 - August 14, 2016, followed by Smokey Joe's Café, featuring the iconic songwriting of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, September 1 - October 23, 2016, and the feel-good Gershwin musical Crazy For You, November 3, 2016 - January 8, 2017. The season will conclude with a revised version of Saturday Night Fever, based on the popular '70s film with music by The Bee Gees, January 19, 2017 - March 19, 2017.

Subscriptions for the 2016 - 2017 Season are priced from $144.60 to $175.80. Subscribers receive special offers on dining, flexible ticket exchanges and early notification and priority seating for added events and concerts. For more information, visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.

About Drury Lane Theatre

Under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis and Artistic Director William Osetek, Drury Lane Theatre is a major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, presenting world-class productions in collaboration with some of the nation's leading actors, artists, writers and directors. Over the past 30 years, Drury Lane has staged more than 2,000 productions and has been nominated for more than 350 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Drury Lane is committed to breathing new life into beloved classics and introducing audiences to exciting new works.

Throughout its 30-year history, Drury Lane has employed more than 7,500 actors and 10,000 musicians, designers and crewmembers to entertain upwards of nine million audience members. Originally founded by Anthony DeSantis, Drury Lane Theatre remains a family-run organization known for producing breathtaking Broadway classics, top-rated musicals, bold new works, hilarious comedies and unforgettable concert events.

Title: Hazel, A Musical Maid in America

Music by: Ron Abel

Lyrics by: Chuck Steffan

Book by: Lissa Levin

Directed and

Choreographed by: Joshua Bergasse

Cast: The cast Klea Blackhurst (Hazel), Ken Clark (George Baxter), Summer Naomi Smart (Dorothy Baxter), Casey Lyons (Harold Baxter), Tyler Martin (Scotty Ferber), Ava Morse (Benedetta Bomicino), Rowan Moxley (Reuben Steuben), and Ed Kross (Bonkers Johnson). The ensemble includes Bill Bannon, Johnson Brock, Courtney Cerny, Brian M. Duncan, Roy Gantz, Rhett Guter, Terrance Martin, Shari Mocheit, Meghan Murphy, Kristen Noonan, Gerard Salvador and Holly Stauder.

Designers: Kevin Depinet (Set Design), Sully Ratke (Costume Design),

Lee Fiskness (Lighting Design), Christopher Ash (Projection Designer), Ray Nardelli (Sound Design), Lucia Lombardi (Production Stage Manager)

Dates: Previews: March 31 - April 6, 2016

Press Opening: Wednesday, April 6 at 8 p.m.

Regular run: April 7 - May 29, 2016

Schedule: Wednesdays: 1:30 p.m.

Thursdays: 1:30 p.m. (except March 31 & April 7) and 8:00 p.m.

Fridays: 8:00 p.m.

Saturdays: 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Sundays: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 8 performances will be held at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Location: Drury Lane Theatre at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace

Tickets: Previews: $43 - $58

Single Tickets: $45 - $60

Wednesday and Thursday matinees are priced at $45, Thursday and Sunday evenings at $55, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday matinee performances at $60.

Student group tickets start at $30

Senior Citizens start at $40 for matinees.

Dinner and show packages available

Box Office: 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace

630.530.0111, TicketMaster at 800.745.3000

or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com.

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