"Hell's Kitchen": Alicia Keys' life and music inspire a new musical

It's been a labor of love by the Grammy Award-winning musician, singer and songwriter Alicia Keys: she's created a new stage musical loosely based on her own life story. "Hell's Kitchen," about a teenage girl with a love of music and a difficult relationship with her mother, features new music as well as some of Keys' most beloved songs Keys rearranged or recontextualized. Correspondent Kelefa Sanneh talks with Keys about the show's origin and its sold-out run in the East Village, with an eye on a future Broadway production. Sanneh also talks with theater critic Ben Brantley about the history of "jukebox musicals," and why "Hell's Kitchen" may be different.
@AliciaKeys @PublicTheaterNY
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[@JessicaLTL]

Adding comments from a theater critic who hasn't seen the production was not good journalism, and a waste of time. You guys could have used that time to talk more with Alicia, the cast, crew and people who have seen the show! I've saw it night one and it was AMAZING! I LOVED IT! The music was rearranged perfectly. The actors were stellar! And Please give Shoshana Bean her flowers! Her voice is one of a kind!

[@Scottical3]

Couldn't agree more. Instead of wasting time with the critic, they should've interviewed Shoshana and Maleah Moon (who is ABSOLUTELY a star in the making)!

[@1dancersmom]

Get Shoshana her Tony!

[@tobechukwuolumba7337]

She is an incredible star, and I love her songs like "You Don't Know My Name," "If I Ain't Got You," and "Diary" featuring Jermaine Paul and Tony! Toni! Tone! Awesome woman.

[@kayjayt8607]

I think it’s interesting how Keys was able to translate her experiences (albeit loosely) into a fun, moving, and structured theatrical experience.

[@dianadavis5002]

She is so talented. Loved her music from the beginning

[@adelaferreira4575]

She is definitely talented,not a lazy hair on Alicia Keys,now playwright adding to great musician ,composer and singer you go girl,and she looks stunning ! We love all your talents

[@AngelHoll]

Ashanti or alicia keys who is more beautiful? Hard choice both women are beautiful!!!!

[@yankee04]

Saw it last night. It’s excellent! I think it will go to Broadway. The cast was outstanding, music and dancing were great.

[@khadijahpinckney9437]

It did

[@redtowlie9]

To much dancing and the story wasn’t that deep. Wish it was actually good

[@khadijahpinckney9437]

@@redtowlie9 You have to be there to see the whole thing

[@williamgibson2314]

Having recently seen this production at the Public Theater; not only is it a star turn for Maleah Joi Moon, as she embodies the character Ali with charm and wit - but little Sister shines as she sings and dances her behind off, like a seasoned professional. The cast has been carefully chosen, and it shows. Can they sing? Absolutely. The choreography is tight; as is the bond of an ensemble cast. Not a whisper, but a roar: Tony Award!

[@yankee04]

It’s not eligible. If it transfers to Broadway it would be eligible. Maybe next season.

[@williamgibson2314]

@@yankee04 That would be correct for next season. No conflict with the Wiz REVIVAL

[@DavidRichardson95]

I would love to see this, _MJ_ and the revival of _The Wiz_ when it hits Broadway next spring.

[@AngelHoll]

Agreed!!! And who is more beautiful ashanti or alicia? Hard choice right? Both of them are beautiful!!!

[@louisah7710]

It is ASTONISHING. Go go to go go! The cast is INCREDIBLE, the music, acting, singing is just phenomenal. One of the best things I’ve ever seen. Such heart. Wonderful.

[@steveconn]

Wow, that looks pretty dynamic.

[@melaniamonicacraciun9900]

Here they are the best Christmas gifts, tickets for concerts giving our most beloved music stars the reason to carry on and entertain us more, big loving hug adorable Alicia ❤🎉❤

[@mililaniman]

I enjoy listening to the music of Alicia Keys. I wish I could see this musical.

[@salmineo4132]

Not even kidding i was craving her music today and to see her on cbs Sunday morning.....just YES!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@hummersd]

Yes to Broadway -- just NOT this season, please! This season seems to be so full already with new and revival productions. Not everything will stay open with that much competition (Here Lies Love is already closing end of this month unfortunately). Love Alicia Keys!!!

[@tbam73]

Calling JCS a jukebox musical sacrilege

[@VwitNikki]

The greatest to ever do it!!❤

[@irenebusse5130]

my girrrl. she's soo honest and I love it❤

[@stephaniebatten5861]

I hate to travel, but I’d fly into nyc to see this! Well done, Ms keys!

[@TatianaOwens]

I feel like I saw the critic today at the theater…. He seemed to enjoy it. Lol Maybe it was someone who looked like him idk… but it was AMAZING!!!!

[@MiJukie]

Get it Girl!

[@ShellyLMSW]

Saw it yesterday, loved it!!!! I hope it goes to Broadway ❤

[@muratbura19]

You did it girl! It's on Broadway now and I will be going! ❤

[@dorothyedwards7225]

I hope one day to catch it when possible.

[@tbam73]

Workshop the hell out of it and get it in the 2024-2025 season

[@adrianamendoza4170]

Can’t wait to see it! I know she directs it but does she act as well?

[@helenaoliveira8973]

Alícia Keys simplesmente demaissss! Belíssima! Magnífica! Te amo ❤🔥💯👑🇧🇷

[@tinalouise5392]

It’s a fantastic play!!!! We really enjoyed it!

[@yankee04]

Same!

[@mic47013]

Looks so good, hope its on Broadway awhile,❤❤❤❤

[@eddieg6436]

A friend of mine did her makeup once….ONCE. Ms Keys sneezed in her face, and didn’t apologize.

[@youngdpslupopo4454]

Amazing

[@zackstark24601]

Can’t wait to see it July 5th

[@matthewlws86]

Please go see this show everyone saw it today it’s the best show I have seen.

[@deanryanmartin]

Hell's Kitchen got me interested in plays. Kudos to Alicia Keys!

[@another_bites_the_crust_pizza]

The idiot sandwich number is amazing!

[@mxssyxp5971]

I saw this on broadway!!!

[@maryannkochanski5777]

Good Luck Alisha. I WISH YOU THE BEST.

[@nativeblck]

You can hear when the old guards are shook. I promise you the people are loving the play.

[@iago07]

Shoshana Bean hunny!!!

[@traydaniel0403]

Here’s what I hope that wins the 2024 Tony Awards Best Musical: Hell’s Kitchen Best Revival of a Musical: Merrily We Roll Along Best Play: Mary Jane Best Performance by a Leading Actor In A Play: Leslie Odom Jr. - Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp through the Cotton Patch as Purlie Victorious Judson Best Performance By A Leading Actress In A Play: Rachel McAdams - Mary Jane as Mary Jane Best Preformance By A Leading Actor In A Musical: Jonathan Groff - Merrily We Roll Along as Franklin Shephard Best Performance By A Leading Actress In A Musical: Maleah Joi Moon - Hell's Kitchen as Ali Best Performance By A Featured Actor In A Play: Jim Parsons - Mother Play as Carl Best Performance By A Featured Actor In A Musical: Roger Bart - Back to the Future: The Musical as Doc Brown Best Performance By A Featured Actress In A Musical: Shoshana Bean - Hell's Kitchen as Jersey Best Direction Of A Play: Anne Kauffman - Mary Jane Best Direction Of A Musical: Michael Greif - Hell's Kitchen Best Book of a Musical: Kristoffer Diaz - Hell's Kitchen or Rick Elice - Water for Elephants Best Original Score (Music And/Or Lyrics) Written For The Theatre: Stereophonic - Will Butler (original songs by) or Here Lies Love - David Byrne and Fatboy Slim (music and lyrics) Best Scenic Design Of A Play: David Zinn - Stereophonic Best Scenic Design Of A Musical: Tim Hatley and Finn Ross - Back to the Future: The Musical Best Costume Design Of A Play: Enver Chakartash - Stereophonic Best Costume Design Of A Musical: Linda Cho - The Great Gatsby Best Lighting Design of a Play: Jiyoun Chang - Stereophonic Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Natasha Katz - Hell's Kitchen Best Sound Design of a Play: Leah Gelpe - Mary Jane Best Sound Design of a Musical: Gareth Owen - Hell's Kitchen Best Choreography: Camille A. Brown - Hell's Kitchen Best Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick - Merrily We Roll Along or Adam Blackstone and Tom Kitt - Hell's Kitchen I really want Hell’s Kitchen to win for Best Musical, please. I’m a huge fan of Alicia Keys. Hard to believe that she grew up in Hell’s Kitchen in NYC. Hope we get a film adaptation of the musical broadway soon with either Sony Pictures/ Columbia Pictures or Tristar Pictures, Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures, Focus Features, Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox (which now goes by 20th Century Studios), Fox Searchlight Pictures, or Warner Bros Pictures or Warner Bros Pictures/ New Line Cinema distributing the film (As long as it’s not streaming like Netflix and Paramount +). Who should direct the film adaptation?

[@Meahlove]

Let's go Alicia 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤

[@megenbunn5156]

Have to see this

[@maryoffutt135]

SHES COOL

[@khadijahpinckney9437]

I saw it today

[@user-er3ri6sc3j]

She's lucky she didn't live in NYCHA projects.

[@maryoffutt135]

HEY THERE

[@arlettegomez220]

hope it's nothing like Alanis Morisette's crappy show....

[@kyle98ful]

SHOSHANNA SANGIN TEENAGE LOVE AFFAIR!?!?!?! Can somebody buy me a plane ticket!?!?!,

[@elizataylor4666]

Jukebox musicals …nahhhhh

[@I_WANT_MY_SLAW]

Its so annoying she saying fax. Is she trying to send an image of a document made by electronic scanning and transmitted as data by telecommunication links? Otherwise stop talking about fax machines.

[@leif1075]

Isnit at all egotistical.or.self.indulgent tomwrite a musical.all.aboit her life? Not there's anything wrong with that..juat thinking out loud..

[@teainortakoy]

I get what you mean, I wouldn't do it myself- the audience would fall asleep! 😄

[@joeybaseball7352]

She completely ripped off the Gordan Ramsay show. She should've called it literally anything else.

[@Melbern11]

Did you even listen to what was said? Hells kitchen is what the area of NY she's from is called.

[@joeybaseball7352]

@@Melbern11 so? She was well aware of the show, as it's been on the air for 20 years, and has multiple versions internationally. Imagine if I named my play Madagascar. She could've literally called it anything else. She should've called it keys or something.

[@Melbern11]

@@joeybaseball7352 There are many movies and things that share the same name, GR doesn't have a monopoly on that term.

[@Keezie27]

Hells Kitchen is the neighborhood in nyc where she grew up. It's been around long before Ramsay or his show. Be serious. What a ridiculous criticism.

[@joeybaseball7352]

@@Keezie27 and so has Madagascar. But if I named my play Madagascar, you would say the same thing. There's already a show called Madagascar.