Hell’s Kitchen – Paramount Theatre

Alicia Keys, I was unfamiliar with your game! I like Alicia Keys well enough, but I didn’t really know her story and was more than a little doubtful that a jukebox musical based on her music and life would be interesting. I was wrong. Hell’s Kitchen should not work and it is in fact Alicia Keys’ thrilling songs that make this show work at all. I still don’t know Alicia Keys’ story, but I do have a much bigger appreciation for her artistry and talent.

A big problem with jukebox musicals is the the songs can feel completely shoe-horned in. That does not happen here. The music seamlessly fits into the story. The lyrics are vibrant and pulls the audience into Ali’s story. The songs are fun, emotional and you want to dance along with the fantastic dancers on stage.

Hell’s Kitchen is not a life story. Rather, it semi-autobiographically covers a time in 17 hear old Ali’s life. The stakes aren’t high, which can make for a slightly bland story. The story’s simplicity and focus is on the highly charged coming of age challenges that many are familiar with:  Ali fighting with her well-meaning mom, living her first crush, exploring her love of piano. It is not a story about Alicia Keys the music genius finding success in the business. But it is very much a showcase for Keys’ songs.

The performances in the touring production are outstanding. Ali is played by Maya Drake in her professional stage debut. She is in most of the scenes and holds her own. She plays a 17-year-old, so yes, her character is a bit annoying.  But most of the songs with power and range are given to the other cast mothers. Kennedy Caughell as mom Jersey is fantastic, receiving a deserved standing ovation after Pawn It All. Roz White plays Ali’s piano teacher, Miss Liza Jane.  Her outstanding vocals provide gravitas and a sense of place and history to the overall story with Perfect Way to Die. Desmond Sean Ellington as Ali’s father croons Fallin’, and you completely feel his charisma.

I would say that if you like Alicia Keys you will like Hell’s Kitchen. But I will go further and say if you like R&B and dance music, you will like this show. The run at Paramount Theatre wraps up July 26, but it will continue to tour with dates into 2027.