The Tony Award-winning musical Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen arrives in Hollywood after a successful two-year Broadway run. Inspired by Keys’ late teenage years as she discovered her musical gifts, the semi-autobiographical musical is an energetic crowd-pleaser with an emotional core. It also introduces audiences to a remarkable new talent: Maya Drake.
Having recently graduated from high school, Hell’s Kitchen marks Drake’s professional stage debut, and it feels very much like the arrival of a future star. From her powerhouse vocals to her effortless stage presence, she carries herself with the confidence of Zendaya and sings like someone who has been commanding stages for years.
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Built around Keys’ catalog of hits, along with three songs written for the show, the musical follows Ali (Drake), a teenager growing up in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. She shares a high-rise apartment with her single mother, Jersey (the astounding Kennedy Caughell), in a building filled with artists, dreamers, and musicians. It’s this creative environment that fuels Ali’s imagination and sparks her passion for music. That passion deepens when she meets Miss Liza Jane (Roz White), a pianist who regularly plays in the building’s Ellington Room, where Ali increasingly finds herself drawn.
With a mostly absentee father (Desmond Sean Ellington), Ali is not only searching for a way to express herself creatively but also trying to navigate her awakening feelings and first experiences with romance. One boy in particular catches her eye: Knuck (JonAvery Worrell), a charismatic street drummer who quickly becomes the object of her affection.
You might expect Hell’s Kitchen to focus on Alicia Keys’ rise to superstardom, but Keys wisely keeps the spotlight on the formative years that shaped her. Instead of charting fame, the show explores a young woman grappling with her mother’s expectations, her complicated relationship with her father, her first experiences with love, and the mentor who helps unlock the musician within.
While the musical isn’t a strict biography, Keys has said that the story’s emotions, neighborhood, and spirit are rooted in her real experiences. The plot may be fictionalized, but the emotional truth behind Ali’s journey feels authentic throughout.
Keys’ music is integrated beautifully into the storytelling. Familiar songs are reimagined and rearranged to serve the narrative, often taking on entirely new meanings. A song that was once about romantic love can become a moving expression of the bond between mother and daughter.
While the show’s humor and dramatic moments consistently land, it’s the performances that ultimately bring audiences to their feet. Every member of the cast is exceptional, and it’s easy to imagine this entire company stepping onto a Broadway stage.
Drake undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of her, and it’s exciting to witness the beginning of what feels like a major career. Caughell, stepping into the role originated by Broadway powerhouse Shoshana Bean, brings the house down with her soulful vocals and standout performance of “Pawn It All.” Ellington makes a strong impression as Ali’s estranged father, delivering soaring vocals that leave you wishing he had even more stage time. White is equally impressive as Miss Liza Jane, particularly during her stirring rendition of “Perfect Way to Die,” a powerful reflection on racism and the fragility of Black life. Worrell rounds out the principal cast with a sweet confidence and undeniable charm as Knuck.
The supporting cast is equally strong, from Ali’s best friends to the dynamic ensemble that fills the stage with infectious energy and exhilarating choreography.
Hell’s Kitchen strikes an impressive balance between eye-popping spectacle and genuine emotional resonance. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I walked away on a bit of an Alicia Keys high. Even if you only know a handful of her songs—as was the case for me—you’re likely to leave as a fan of both the artist and the show itself.
And keep your eye on Maya Drake. She’s going to be huge.
Hell’s Kitchen runs through June 21 at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.
For tickets and additional information, visit BroadwayInHollywood.com.
