“HAZEL” HEADS TO BROADWAY

One of the most beloved and enduring characters in the history of American popular culture is aiming to finally make her way to the Broadway stage. Hazel - the saucy maid whose wry attitude, infallible wisdom and heart of gold has captured the hearts of millions for more than 60 years - will be in the spotlight again in an exciting new Broadway musical with music by composer Ron Abel and lyrics by Chuck Steffan who acquired the rights to Hazel from the estate of creator Ted Key and are hoping to bring the show to Broadway in 2011.

Lissa Levin, the Edward Kleban Award-winning playwright and Emmy-nominated producer has been chosen to write the Broadway script for Hazel. 

Abel and Steffan are currently in discussions with an incredibly talented actress who recently starred on Broadway to play the role of Hazel. "And several other major actresses have knocked on our door this week alone to inquire about this major role," commented Steffan. "We are excited about the possibilities."

Hazel first entered American hearts as a cartoon panel that appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1943 and delighted readers from every walk of life for more than a quarter of a century until the magazine's demise in 1969. By then, Hazel had become a television star, memorably brought to life by actress Shirley Booth's indelible performance as the wise and wisecracking housekeeper that keeps life moving along in the Baxter household. Hazel is an iconic character that speaks to all of us in ways that make us smile in recognition, and will touch contemporary audiences with her timeless attitude and sense of humour. 

"We're thrilled to see Hazel finally coming to Broadway, it's something my father always dreamed of," said Peter Key, son of Hazel's creator Ted Key and representative of the artist's estate. "Hazel has an inner humanity that projected well in both cartoons and on TV, and Dad always thought her character would project very well in theatre." The only medium he was never able to bring his work to during his lifetime was the live stage, and this lets both him and his most popular creation finally assume their rightful place on Broadway."