Broadway's Hell's Kitchen has announced it has raised $1 million dollars for Keep a Child Alive (KCA), a nonprofit organization co-founded by Alicia Keys. The production has donated $1 for every ticket sold to date in partnership with KCA.
Alicia Keys and Antonio Ruiz-Giménez, Executive Chairman and CEO of KCA, joined the Hell's Kitchen company onstage October 17 to celebrate the milestone.
Through the donation program and matching donations, Hell's Kitchen's contribution will allow KCA to reach 18,250 children and provide resources including food, healthcare, education, and school uniforms, for children in Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa, and more. The partnership will continue throughout the show's Broadway run.
"[The donation is] just a small part, of what you being here tonight means," Keys shared at the October 17 curtain call. "This is the impact that you are making. This is just the beginning! We are not slowing up—this is the power of this show, this is the purpose of remembering where dreams begin. And I just want to thank you for being a part of this moment. Keep giving, keep loving, keep coming!”
Hell's Kitchen features music and lyrics by Alicia Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz. Inspired by the 15-time Grammy winner's life, the story centers on 17-year-old Ali and her mother, sharing a cramped apartment near Times Square. Ali wants to live out her NYC dream, but Mom is scared her daughter will repeat her own mistakes.
The cast is currently led by Bean as Jersey, Brandon Victor Dixon as Davis, Kecia Lewis as Miss Liza Jane, and Maleah Joi Moon as Ali. Original cast member Chris Lee played his final performance as Knuck October 20, with The Wiz's Phillip Johnson Richardson set to succeed Lee beginning October 22. They share the stage with Chad Carstarphen as Ray, Vanessa Ferguson as Tiny, Jakeim Hart as Q, Jackie Leon as Jessica, Nyseli Vega as Millie, Lamont Walker II as 'Riq, and Rema Webb as Crystal. Casting is by Heidi Griffiths and Kate Murray.
The music team includes music director Lily Ling and orchestrators Adam Blackstone and Tom Kitt with arrangements by Keys and Blackstone. The creative team also includes scenic designer Robert Brill, costume designer Dede Ayite, lighting designer Natasha Katz, sound designer Gareth Owen, projection designer Peter Nigrini, hair and wig designer Mia Neal, and makeup designer Michael Clifton. Foresight Theatrical is general manager, and Danny Maly serves as production stage manager.
Visit KeepAChildAlive.org for more information.
