Lissa Levin News

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.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham is thrilled to announce the fifth show in the Laguna Playhouse 2015-2016 season, Julia Duffy starring in SEX AND EDUCATION, written by Lissa Levin and directed by Andrew Barnicle.

Drury Lane Theatre kicks off the 2016 - 2017 Season with the world-premiere production of HAZEL, a musical maid in America. 

Like THE ADDAMS FAMILY before it, the new musical HAZEL is based on a one-panel comic strip, though audiences are bound to be far more familiar with the character's hit TV series.

Klea Blackhurst stars in a new musical inspired by Ted Key's comic and the hit 1960s sitcom.

Drury Lane Theatre kicks off the 2016 - 2017 Season with the world-premiere production of HAZEL, a musical maid in America. BroadwayWorld is excited to confirm the full cast for the production!

On January 21, guests gathered at Drury Lane Theatre for the Opening Night of their newest production, Bye Bye Birdie, directed and choreographed by Tammy Mader. With a cast led by Michelle Aravena as Rosie, Matt Crowle as Conrad's agent, Albert, and Jason Michael Evans as Conrad Birdie, audiences were treated to a throwback of the classic 1950's musical, brought to life again by this energetic and lively ensemble of 31. Check out photos from opening night, below!

On April 6th 2016 The Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre will present the World Premiere of Hazel, a new musical based on the popular comic strip character and 1960's TV show. With music by Ron Abel, Lyrics by Chuck Steffan, book by Lissa Levin, and directed by Joshua Bergasse, it stars Klea Blackhurst in the title role. Recently Klea and the creative team were making some finishing touches on the show and BroadwayWorld was there to capture the moment. Check out the photos below!

Bye Bye Birdie, the four-time Tony Award-winning musical, begins performances at Drury Lane on January 14 to conclude the 2015 - 2016 Season. The funny, irreverent musical takes audiences back to 1959 in quiet Sweet Apple, OH, where rock star Conrad Birdie shakes things up when he arrives to give one lucky teenage girl a special goodbye kiss. With a cast led by 2015 Jeff Award Best Supporting Actor winners Michelle Aravena as Rosie and Matt Crowle as Conrad's agent, Albert, Bye Bye Birdie is directed and choreographed by multiple Jeff Award winner Tammy Mader. Featuring musical theater classics such as "Kids," "Put on a Happy Face," and "A Lot of Livin' to Do," the inspired cast and creative team promise to bring a decidedly fresh touch to the timeless story. 

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Irving Berlin' arrives in town, and screenings of 'Little Shop' and 'Oklahoma!' light 'em up. Jess Godwin sang with Kristin Chenoweth, and a Thanksgiving musical prepares, as do 'Seussical,' 'The Merry Widow' and 'My Way.' And Broadway In Chicago and the Drury Lane Theatre announce lineups for 2016!

The Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace will present HAZEL, based on the character from the Saturday Evening Post comic strip, and the 1960's TV comedy series starring Shirley Booth.

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!

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".

The Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to announce its 2015- 2016 season of shows!

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.

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.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present one of the most beloved comedies of all time, Neil Simon's THE ODD COUPLE, starring Maxwell Caulfield and Kip Gilman and directed by Andrew Barnicle.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present one of the most beloved comedies of all time, Neil Simon's THE ODD COUPLE, starring Maxwell Caulfield and Kip Gilman and directed by Andrew Barnicle.

The critically acclaimed New York, Off-Broadway hit musical Inside Out will celebrate its 20-year anniversary at the Grove Theatre Center in Burbank, CA tonight, February 12th - March 22nd, it was announced by Kritzerland Entertainment and PlayWorks Music.