Pippin's Lucie Arnaz to Direct Reading of New Musical Inspired by Cartoon Hazel

Lucie Arnaz will direct a reading of the new musical Hazel: A Musical Maid in America on October 23 and 24 at the June Havoc Theatre at the Abingdon Theatre Company. The show features music by Ron Abelm, lyrics by Chuck Steffan, and book by Lissa Levin.

Klea Blackhurst leads the cast in the title role, with Paul Shaefer as George Baxter, Jessica Keenan Wynn as Dorothy Baxter, Colin Crest as Harold Baxter, Warren Kelley as Bonkers Johnson, Ava-Riley Miles as Benedetta Bomicino, Bonale Fambrini as Scotty Fuyu, and Ethan Khusidman as Reuben Steuben. The cast also features Lance Roberts, Romelda Benjamin, Gerard Salvador, Erin Sullivan, and Sharon Sayegh, with Kevin Spiritas as the Narrator and Newscaster.

Hazel is based on the Ted Kay single-panel cartoon character, which first appeared in 1943. The cartoon later inspired the 1961 TV sitcom Hazel, in which Shirley Booth played the title character, a saucy maid with a heart of gold and timeless wisdom.

Arnaz takes on the role of Berthe in Broadway's Pippin beginning Oct. 9.