HELL’S KITCHEN Celebrates Coming-of-Age in NYC
A love letter to New York City wrapped in a coming-of-age tale, Hell’s Kitchen, with music and lyrics by Alicia Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz, is an engaging, thoroughly entertaining jukebox musical. The touring production paints a picture of New York in the late 20th century while telling of a young woman’s discovery of the power and pull of music in her life. Strong performances, particularly from the women who play Ali, her mom Jersey, and her musical mentor Miss Liza Jane, ensure the audience remains interested and invested in the show.
Ali is 17, fighting with her mom, and rebelling like most teens; she’s impatient to grow up but walking through life without real aim or purpose. The Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood where she lives is a vibrant mix of people, and her building is filled with artists of every discipline who inspire Ali. Tensions increase between her and her mom when Ali starts seeing a man a few years older than her – mom would be even more upset if she knew that Ali was the one who pursued him, practically willing the relationship into existence through sheer persistence. In a turn of good luck, Knuck, as he’s called, is more of a gentleman than a hoodlum. He’s just a man doing his best to survive tough circumstances with dignity and self-respect. While trying to avoid her mom one day, Ali wanders into the music room in her building and meets the accomplished pianist Miss Liza Jane, a woman who ignites Ali’s love of music and sets her on a course that may change her life.
Maya Drake captures Ali’s teen angst and impatience in a performance that’s filled with empathy, energy, and a sense of personal urgency. Ali can’t wait to get on with her life even as she is still figuring it out, and Drake exudes curiosity and an infectious determination that makes you want to cheer for her. Drake has a pleasing voice and seems to gain confidence with every scene; though her vocals occasionally get lost among the ensemble, she hits all the big notes with ease, and her tone varies with emotion that ensures the audience hears and connects with her story. It’s a star-making role, and Drake steps into and fills it with warmth and charisma.
Kennedy Caughell, as Ali’s mom Jersey, matches Drake measure for measure, showing a mother’s unwavering love and concern while hitting soaring notes infused with emotion and conviction. Caughell’s voice is strong and true, and her range is impressive, expressing a mother’s concern in one song and revealing her own desires and longings in another. Caughell shows us that Jersey is more than just Ali’s mom, even if that may be her most important role; her scenes with Davis, Ali’s father, played to perfection by Desmand Sean Ellington, are quite compelling.
As Miss Liza Jane, Roz White elevates every scene she’s in with gravitas, wit, and genuine compassion, remaining patient and resolute in her truth and teaching Ali that showing up is the first step to success. JonAvery Worrell ensures that we find Knuck likeable with a nicely understated performance that highlights his voice and Knuck’s true character. Rashada Dawan and Beda Spindola are well cast as Ali’s closest friends, and the bond between them feels genuine, and both women are strong singers who standout in their solo moments. The rest of the ensemble is well cast, creating a sense of shared community while providing solid support, and Destini Hendricks, Christopher Miller, Usman Ali Mughal, and Marques Furr excel in spotlight dances.
The songs are artfully orchestrated by Keys in ways that don’t mimic her radio hits but still captivate. “Girl on Fire,” “Fallin’,” “If I Ain’t Got You,” and “Empire State of Mind” are instantly recognizable and memorably recreated, while other songs like “The River,” “Un-thinkable (I’m Ready),” “Kaleidoscope,” and “Pawn It All” feel like new revelations. While I wish the choreography was as influenced by time and location as the story and songs, it serves the musical well, particularly the featured dances.
Featuring the music of Alicia Keys, the touring production of Hell’s Kitchen at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, is a jukebox musical that doesn’t feel like your typical jukebox musical. Rather than a timeline of success, the story focuses on a short but monumentally important few weeks in Ali’s life, providing insight into the artist’s development. Please don’t try to sing along, no matter how much of a fan you are (this isn’t that type of show) but do make plans to see Hell’s Kitchen. It is nothing like a concert and everything that paints a compelling portrait of an artist.
