Broadway is about to experience a harmonious infusion of Alicia Keys’ chart-topping melodies as the acclaimed singer-songwriter’s semi-autobiographical musical, “Hell’s Kitchen,” gears up for its grand move from off-Broadway to the iconic Shubert Theatre this spring.
The musical, inspired by Keys’ own life journey, captures the essence of her upbringing and the transformative power of music. Keys, a multiple-Grammy winner, expressed her excitement about the transition, stating, “I loved going to the theater and I was inspired by it and the songwriting and the expression and the beauty and the way you could be transported.”
“Hell’s Kitchen” follows the coming-of-age story of 17-year-old Ali, a gifted teenager navigating life in a subsidized housing development on the outskirts of Times Square, in the once-gritty neighborhood known as Hell’s Kitchen. The narrative mirrors Keys’ own experiences, being the daughter of a white mother and a Black father.
March 28 marks the commencement of performances, with the official opening set for April 20. Tickets will be available for purchase starting December 11. While casting details are yet to be revealed, it’s worth noting that Maleah Joi Moon led the production off-Broadway.
The musical boasts a soundtrack featuring Alicia Keys’ greatest hits, including “Fallin’,” “No One,” “Girl on Fire,” “If I Ain’t Got You,” and the iconic “Empire State of Mind.” Additionally, audiences can anticipate the debut of four new songs crafted specifically for the Broadway adaptation.
Playwright Kristoffer Diaz, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity,” brings Ali’s story to life, with direction by Michael Greif, known for his work on the acclaimed “Dear Evan Hansen.” The choreography is handled by Camille A. Brown.
Keys, not only the inspiration behind the musical but also the lead producer, emphasizes the personal and familial connection to the story. Reflecting on her mother’s journey from Toledo, Ohio, to New York City, Keys remarks, “Dreams come around for you — they might not come for you exactly when you thought it was going to come for you. But they do. They find their way.”
Initial reviews have been favorable, with The New Yorker describing it as “frequently exhilarating,” Variety calling it a “sparkling story paying homage to New York,” and The Guardian deeming it “surprisingly loose-limbed and rousing.”
As “Hell’s Kitchen” makes its transition to Broadway, Keys acknowledges the potential for some adjustments to accommodate the larger stage. However, she assures that the essence and spirit of the show remain intact. “Surely pieces of it will continue to evolve and grow. That’s the beauty of art,” she says. “What I know is intact is the spirit of it. The spirit of it is so pure and so good and it’s so infectious. It is about transformation. It really is about finding who you are.”
In joining the recent wave of jukebox musicals on Broadway, including “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical,” “& Juliet,” “MJ,” and “Moulin Rouge!,” “Hell’s Kitchen” promises to deliver a unique and captivating experience for theater enthusiasts.
This venture isn’t Keys’ first foray into Broadway; in 2011, she co-produced the play “Stick Fly” and contributed some music. Keys now joins the ranks of other musical luminaries who have graced Broadway with their creative prowess, including Elton John, Cyndi Lauper, Sting, Alanis Morissette, and many more. As Broadway continues to be enriched by the diverse sounds of these iconic artists, Alicia Keys’ “Hell’s Kitchen” is poised to add a soulful and transformative chapter to the storied history of New York’s theater district.
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