ANNIVERSARY TODAY:
ON TELEVISION: November 16, 1964 - Shirley appeared on The Andy Williams Show as herself.
*****
ANNIVERSARY YESTERDAY....
I missed mentioning singer/dancer Dona Drake's birthday (November 15, 1914 - June 20, 1989). Beautiful Dona is one of my favorites from Hollywood's studio days. I particularly liked Dona in the very memorable number ("Swing Shift") found in the 1942 Paramount star-studded film Star Spangled Rhythm.
See my blog on this film - http://shirleyboothstory.blogspot.com/2010/07/star-spangled-rhythm-offers-superb.html
See my blog on this film - http://shirleyboothstory.blogspot.com/2010/07/star-spangled-rhythm-offers-superb.html
*****
Peter Key writes....
Jim,
Here's the press release announcing the deal.
My statement on it is as follows:
Last week, composer Ron Abel and his lyricist Chuck Steffan, announced they have signed an agreement with the estate of my father, cartoonist Ted Key, to make a musical about his creation, the comic maid Hazel.
I've sent Jim the press release so that he can post it, but I wanted to reiterate how happy I, my brothers, nephews and niece are. My father always thought Hazel was perfectly suited for a musical and we think Ron and Chuck are the perfect people to make one about her. They are tremendously talented musical pros with the ability and connections necessary to take her to Broadway. More importantly, they understand her character, what makes her tick and what has made her so beloved for so many years.
They have already brought on a talented writer, Lissa Levin, whose background in theatre and television makes her a natural choice as a collaborator, and are talking to at least one actress who we think, and my father thought, would be perfect to play Hazel.
A lot of things have to go right to take a musical from conception to the stage. We think Ron, Chuck and Lissa have the ability to take Hazel one step further — to smash hit — and we believe my father would have thought so, too.
Peter Key
Here's the press release announcing the deal.
My statement on it is as follows:
Last week, composer Ron Abel and his lyricist Chuck Steffan, announced they have signed an agreement with the estate of my father, cartoonist Ted Key, to make a musical about his creation, the comic maid Hazel.
I've sent Jim the press release so that he can post it, but I wanted to reiterate how happy I, my brothers, nephews and niece are. My father always thought Hazel was perfectly suited for a musical and we think Ron and Chuck are the perfect people to make one about her. They are tremendously talented musical pros with the ability and connections necessary to take her to Broadway. More importantly, they understand her character, what makes her tick and what has made her so beloved for so many years.
They have already brought on a talented writer, Lissa Levin, whose background in theatre and television makes her a natural choice as a collaborator, and are talking to at least one actress who we think, and my father thought, would be perfect to play Hazel.
A lot of things have to go right to take a musical from conception to the stage. We think Ron, Chuck and Lissa have the ability to take Hazel one step further — to smash hit — and we believe my father would have thought so, too.
Peter Key
Nov. 14, 2010
*****
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEHazel Is Coming To Broadway!
Iconic Character That Made Generations Smile
Is Back And On Her Way To The Bright Lights
Chuck Steffan & Ron Abel
New York, NY - One of the most beloved and enduring characters in the history of American popular culture is finally making 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. The veteran duo has acquired the rights to Hazel from the estate of creator Ted Key.
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 humor.
"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 theater." 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."
"The character of Hazel screams out to be a musical, she sings to us" says veteran Broadway and Hollywood composer Ron Abel, who along with lyricist partner Chuck Steffan, is penning the songs for the musical. "She's the kind of character you'd love to introduce to your kids; a middle aged woman that doesn't take guff, and has youth appeal. Hazel is completely ageless. Her inner humanity was unmistakable and very visible to all the people around her."
Steffan added, "Ted Key was an enormous talent and a gentleman of distinction. I am so proud to be a part of his legacy.
Abel and Steffan had tried to bring Hazel to Broadway once before, but creator Key passed away in 2008 before a deal could be struck. Negotiations continued with Key's sons, including Peter, who was glad for the duo's persistence and commitment to the character. "We're very excited to be working with Ron and Chuck. My dad was able to work with them before but unable to complete the project. Now he -- and all of us -- are thrilled to be working together at last." Says Abel, "I believe there was another force in the universe that gave us the resiliency that made us make this try to happen. We just feel so much commitment to the project and so much closeness to Hazel's character."
Hazel was practically a household figure in America through her popular TV show in the early 1960s, and will be fondly remembered by baby boomer audiences. While the musical will be set as a period piece, Abel and Steffan believe that Hazel's timeless character speaks just as relevantly to today's audiences, and are creating a show around her that will capture her warmth and lively humor in music and lyrics with a fun, contemporary feel.
Ron Abel is a multi-award winning composer, producer, arranger, orchestrator, conductor and musical director. His recent sold out shows of his original songs at the world famous jazz club BIRDLAND in New York City had the NEW YORK POST'S columnist Liz Smith writing: "Go! Then you can say you knew him when!
In the last year, he was personally honored to be among the GREAT AMERICAN COMPOSERS celebrated at the July 4th Rose Bowl Spectacular in Pasadena, California. His multi-recorded song Until Now was the featured concert selection at this event. Another of his songs, Heaven Knows was the performance highlight of the United States Christmas Ceremony in Washington D.C. He also was the onstage musical director and co-creator for the concert BABALU, a tribute to the music of Desi Arnaz, which began at the famed 92nd St. Y in New York and has gone on to acclaim in Miami and Las Vegas.
Aside from being the co-creator and arranger of the acclaimed Broadway musical BLAME IT ON THE MOVIES, Ron has also composed the scores for ROCKWELL: LIFE ON A PALETTE, a true Americana musical in which the iconic pictures that we all grew up with come to life and become musical numbers as Norman Rockwell himself takes us on a tour of his imagination: TWIST OF FATE, the award winning musical that tells the tale of the woman who dared to challenge the US government for her right to tell fortunes: DIFFERENT HEROES, the story of an exiled African poet who teaches a rough group of misfits the true meaning of freedom and choice: and IS THIS YOUR LIFE?...a musical comedy expose.
Ron served as musical director, arranger and conductor for the gala opening ceremonies of the new 60,000 seat stadium, FORD FIELD, sponsored by the Ford Motor Company and headlined by Gladys Knight. At the annual Dream Foundation fundraiser in Los Angeles starring Drew Carey, Cindy Crawford, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. Priscilla Presley, and Joely Fisher, Ron presided as arranger, conductor and musical director.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Iconic Character That Made Generations Smile
Is Back And On Her Way To The Bright Lights
Chuck Steffan & Ron Abel
New York, NY - One of the most beloved and enduring characters in the history of American popular culture is finally making 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. The veteran duo has acquired the rights to Hazel from the estate of creator Ted Key.
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 humor.
"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 theater." 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."
"The character of Hazel screams out to be a musical, she sings to us" says veteran Broadway and Hollywood composer Ron Abel, who along with lyricist partner Chuck Steffan, is penning the songs for the musical. "She's the kind of character you'd love to introduce to your kids; a middle aged woman that doesn't take guff, and has youth appeal. Hazel is completely ageless. Her inner humanity was unmistakable and very visible to all the people around her."
Steffan added, "Ted Key was an enormous talent and a gentleman of distinction. I am so proud to be a part of his legacy.
Abel and Steffan had tried to bring Hazel to Broadway once before, but creator Key passed away in 2008 before a deal could be struck. Negotiations continued with Key's sons, including Peter, who was glad for the duo's persistence and commitment to the character. "We're very excited to be working with Ron and Chuck. My dad was able to work with them before but unable to complete the project. Now he -- and all of us -- are thrilled to be working together at last." Says Abel, "I believe there was another force in the universe that gave us the resiliency that made us make this try to happen. We just feel so much commitment to the project and so much closeness to Hazel's character."
Hazel was practically a household figure in America through her popular TV show in the early 1960s, and will be fondly remembered by baby boomer audiences. While the musical will be set as a period piece, Abel and Steffan believe that Hazel's timeless character speaks just as relevantly to today's audiences, and are creating a show around her that will capture her warmth and lively humor in music and lyrics with a fun, contemporary feel.
Ron Abel is a multi-award winning composer, producer, arranger, orchestrator, conductor and musical director. His recent sold out shows of his original songs at the world famous jazz club BIRDLAND in New York City had the NEW YORK POST'S columnist Liz Smith writing: "Go! Then you can say you knew him when!
In the last year, he was personally honored to be among the GREAT AMERICAN COMPOSERS celebrated at the July 4th Rose Bowl Spectacular in Pasadena, California. His multi-recorded song Until Now was the featured concert selection at this event. Another of his songs, Heaven Knows was the performance highlight of the United States Christmas Ceremony in Washington D.C. He also was the onstage musical director and co-creator for the concert BABALU, a tribute to the music of Desi Arnaz, which began at the famed 92nd St. Y in New York and has gone on to acclaim in Miami and Las Vegas.
Aside from being the co-creator and arranger of the acclaimed Broadway musical BLAME IT ON THE MOVIES, Ron has also composed the scores for ROCKWELL: LIFE ON A PALETTE, a true Americana musical in which the iconic pictures that we all grew up with come to life and become musical numbers as Norman Rockwell himself takes us on a tour of his imagination: TWIST OF FATE, the award winning musical that tells the tale of the woman who dared to challenge the US government for her right to tell fortunes: DIFFERENT HEROES, the story of an exiled African poet who teaches a rough group of misfits the true meaning of freedom and choice: and IS THIS YOUR LIFE?...a musical comedy expose.
Ron served as musical director, arranger and conductor for the gala opening ceremonies of the new 60,000 seat stadium, FORD FIELD, sponsored by the Ford Motor Company and headlined by Gladys Knight. At the annual Dream Foundation fundraiser in Los Angeles starring Drew Carey, Cindy Crawford, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. Priscilla Presley, and Joely Fisher, Ron presided as arranger, conductor and musical director.
He recently produced and arranged new albums for Deborah Gibson (Colored Lights: The Broadway Album) and Valarie Pettiford (Hear My Soul) and Lucie Arnaz (Latin Roots). Arranging, producing, and song writing by Ron can also be heard on Petula Clark, Helen Reddy and Dorian Harewood's albums among many others.
Tap Your Troubles Away, A Tribute to Jerry Herman, was an historic evening in Los Angeles benefiting the Actor's Fund that Ron conducted and served as musical director, arranger, and album producer. The event brought together Angela Lansbury, Carol Channing, Bernadette Peters, Rita Moreno, Tyne Daly, and Sam Harris, as well as many other Broadway luminaries, including a finale performance by Jerry Herman himself. Ron was asked to recreate the evening for Houston's Theatre Under the Stars gala opening of their new multi-million dollar facility.
Ron has musical directed, arranged, orchestrated and conducted the annual S.T.A.G.E. Benefit Musical Tributes, the oldest AIDS fundraiser in the world, for fifteen years, with albums recorded by MCA, Varese Sarabande and L & M Records.
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of one of Broadway's most historic musicals, West Side Story, Ron was commissioned to arrange and orchestrate a new symphonic composition of the score. It premiered with the acclaimed Pasadena Pops Orchestra featuring both Ron as pianist, and drummer Richie Ramone (The Ramones) as soloists.
Chuck Steffan's audacity to rewrite a classic Cole Porter song, prompted the entertainment news bible, VARIETY to write this: "Cole Porter's LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT LOVE was made even funnier thanks to clever, topical additions by Chuck Steffan. Kudos to Steffan, not everyone can improve on Porter."
He has written the lyrics for the stage musicals SURVIVAL CRACKERS, TO SIR, WITH LOVE and DIFFERENT HEROES. He is the co-creator and lyricist for the musical comedy expose IS THIS YOUR LIFE? which premiered in Los Angeles. (A "juggernaut" of comedy: L.A. Times) Currently, Chuck is writing the lyrics for these new Broadway bound musicals with music by award-winning composer, Ron Abel:
*****
THANKS FOR VISITING!
JOIN ME AGAIN TOMORROW!
*****
For purchasing any of my books, you can visit Amazon.com
You can also check www.bookfinder.com
which offers the best prices on new & used copies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Bill, His Pinup Girl: The Shirley Booth & Bill Baker Story
by Jim Manago
Foreword by Leslie Sodaro
Published December 1, 2010
Further details at: http://shirleybooth.blogspot.com
JOIN ME AGAIN TOMORROW!
*****
For purchasing any of my books, you can visit Amazon.com
You can also check www.bookfinder.com
which offers the best prices on new & used copies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Bill, His Pinup Girl: The Shirley Booth & Bill Baker Story
by Jim Manago
Foreword by Leslie Sodaro
Published December 1, 2010
Further details at: http://shirleybooth.blogspot.com
*****
Love is the Reason for it All: The Shirley Booth Story
by Jim Manago
Radio Research by Donna Manago
Foreword by Ted Key
BearManor Media, May 2008
http://bearmanormedia.bizland.com
by Jim Manago
Radio Research by Donna Manago
Foreword by Ted Key
BearManor Media, May 2008
http://bearmanormedia.bizland.com
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