KeyBank State Theatre was on fire Wednesday evening with the electrifying energy of Alicia Keys’ Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen. The show, inspired by Keys’ own upbringing, has received widespread praise. Hell’s Kitchen takes its name from the gritty, working-class neighborhood on Manhattan’s West Side, a tenement called the Manhattan Plaza, a place with a famed past dating back to the 1800s. Historically associated with crime, racism, and hardship, the area was once described as “hell itself.” But by the 1900s, its character began to shift, becoming a community and refuge for actors, artists, and young dreamers drawn by its proximity to Broadway.
The story of Hell’s Kitchen is loosely based on Alicia Keys’ life growing up in the neighborhood during the 1980s. Born and raised in this challenging environment, Keys has often described it as both “tough and beautiful,” crediting it with giving her the “fire” that fuels her music today. From a young age, she was immersed in the arts—thanks in part to her mother, who would wait in long lines to score discounted Broadway tickets, exposing Alicia to the magic of live performance. Inspired by what she saw on stage, she began dedicating countless hours to the piano, nurturing the talent that would ultimately launch her universal career as a singer, songwriter, and artist.
Keys played a vital role in the creation of Hell’s Kitchen, collaborating closely on the production, which is based on a book by Kristoffer Diaz. Her deep personal connection to the story shines through in both the song selections and the emotional depth of the content. Alicia is no stranger to Cleveland (with no stranger show than in 2001 alongside Linkin Park at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, when they both taped specials for MTV the same night). Just this past Friday, she returned to our beautiful city—not to perform, but to witness Hell’s Kitchen come to life on stage.
The stage, designed by Robert Brill, was intentionally simplistic yet highly effective. Industrial scaffolding evoked the towering buildings of New York City, while multi-level platforms and steps suggested balconies and fire escapes. A few key moving props—able to slide or rotate—allowed the space to fluidly transform from the interiors of tenement buildings to stoops, city streets, and other neighborhood settings. In shadowboxes on the set, the drummer and keyboard players could be glimpsed, subtly integrated into the backdrop. During their featured moments, however, they were backlit with soft lighting, adding another rich layer of depth and energy to the performance. One of the primary rooms in the play is called “Ellington”. Named after “Duke Ellington”, this room includes the grand piano where Eli and her music teacher, Miss Liza Jane, find sanctuary and a shared passion.
The lighting and projections by Peter Nigrini played a vital role in the limited set transitions, adding texture through layered visuals—ranging from storefronts and signage to gang graffiti. These elements not only enriched the atmosphere but also elevated key emotional and intimate moments on stage. Gareth Owen’s sound design infused the scenes with vibrant energy, perfectly complementing the intense and dramatic, street-style choreography by Camille A. Brown. The dancers delivered electrifying performances, throwing themselves entirely into the emotional core of the movement, making their talent undeniable.
Although I was only familiar with Alicia Keys’ biggest hits, the musical didn’t come across as a typical “jukebox” show. Instead, the songs felt thoughtfully placed, serving the story rather than distracting from it. Each act featured 11 songs, and their inclusion felt purposeful, enhancing both character development and emotional resonance. The first act opened with “The Gospel” and moved through tracks like “The River,” “Seventeen,” and “You Don’t Know My Name,” all of which helped establish the storyline of the show. In the second act, more widely recognized hits such as “Girl on Fire,” “Fallin’,” “No One,” and “Empire State of Mind” were performed, but even these felt naturally woven into the narrative, rather than simply added for audience recognition.
As mentioned earlier, the storyline is loosely based on Alicia Keys’ life at age 17, rather than a full biography; it felt more like a snapshot of a few pivotal months. The narrative leaves room for interpretation, allowing the audience to imagine what comes next for Ali. We know she eventually becomes a global star, but this story reflects how that journey may have felt—shaped by hardship and sacrifice, yet also filled with the promise of opportunity she needed to grasp for herself.
The production captured the heart of the show, shining through with its vibrant choreography, powerful vocals, and musicality. The characters expressed resilience in the face of life’s struggles. The piano became a sanctuary for Ali amid the challenges of her difficult home life, although there’s an implied happy ending, especially when viewed as a reflection of Alicia Keys’ own coming-of-age in Hell’s Kitchen—and how that experience helped forge her incredible talent.
Hell’s Kitchen delivers a fresh, vibrant energy anchored by Maya Drake in her impressive professional debut as Ali. Drake commands the stage with stirring emotional authenticity across dialogue, song, and choreography. Her voice, notable for its soulful clarity, shines especially during “Kaleidoscope,” a dynamic number that embodies hope and self-discovery, even as the orchestration occasionally subdued some high notes at musical peaks.
As Ali’s mother, Kennedy Caughell brings seasoned gravitas from prior major productions, portraying Jersey with heartfelt nuance. Her grounded performance is most compelling during “Pawn It All,” capturing maternal worry and resilience, and earning an enthusiastic audience response for her powerful vocal heights.
Roz White, as Miss Liza Jane, infuses the show with her trademark warmth and authority. Her guidance of Ali is both nurturing and profound, and White’s rendition of “Perfect Way to Die” stands out for its emotional depth, demonstrating her ability to deliver heartbreak with subtle strength.
Desmond Sean Ellington, making his Broadway debut as Davis, offers a captivating portrayal of Ali’s intermittently present father. His smooth vocal transitions between spoken lines and melody draw viewers into his character’s interior world, providing gentle support to Ali in pivotal scenes.
Johnavery Worrell crafts a magnetic presence as Knuck, Ali’s boyfriend, balancing sincerity and charm. His light-hearted interaction with the audience—hinting at a possible move to Cleveland—injects humor into the evening and showcases strong rapport with both cast and crowd.
The production team truly captured the heart of the show, which shone through its vibrant choreography, powerful vocals, and rich musicality. While the additional musicians were not visible to the audience, their presence was deeply felt—they played an integral role in bringing the music to life alongside the cast. Together, they created a soundscape that amplified the emotion of each scene. Through it all, the characters expressed resilience in the face of life’s challenges, grounding the production in both authenticity and heart.
There’s an implied happy ending, especially when viewed as a reflection of Alicia Keys’ own coming-of-age in Hell’s Kitchen—and how that experience helped forge her incredible talent. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the show, with spontaneous applause and cheers throughout, culminating in a well-deserved standing ovation at the finale. This entire cast delivers powerhouse performances, bringing raw emotion, energy, and authenticity to the stage. Hell’s Kitchen isn’t just a musical—it’s a moving, dramatic journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the transformative power of music. A definite must-see.
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