Broadway's Hell's Kitchen got another Grammy-winning star December 16 with gospel icon Yolanda Adams joining as Miss Liza Jane, succeeding Tony-winning original star Kecia Lewis (whose final bow was December 13). And now we have a first look at Adams in the role. Take a look above.
Already a Tony nominee as one of the songwriters of Broadway's SpongeBob SquarePants, Adams is making her Broadway performing debut in the Alicia Keys musical.
“Performing on Broadway has always been a dream of mine,” said Adams in an earlier statement. “Growing up a musician, Miss Liza Jane reminds me of a wonderful mentor that blessed my life immensely. Alicia Keys has crafted an amazing story that exemplifies how we are all connected in one way or another. This show feels like home! The central themes—joy, pain, beauty, and tough love—are universal experiences allowing everyone to see themselves in this musical. I am beyond thrilled to step into Hell’s Kitchen with my fellow ensemble members and bring this amazing story to life!”
READ: Alicia Keys on the Parts of Her Life That Inspired Hell's Kitchen, Including Her Mother
Adams won her first Grammy Award in 2000, taking Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album for her Mountain High... Valley Low. She won in the same category for The Experience in 2002, winning Best Gospel Song for "Be Blessed" in 2006 and Best Gospel Performance for "Victory" in 2007. She's also been honored with five BET Awards and six NAACP Image Awards, is in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and had a Presidential Lifetime Achievement bestowed upon her by Barack Obama.
Hell's Kitchen features music and lyrics by 17-time Grammy winner Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz. Inspired by the recording artist'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 Jersey is scared her daughter will repeat her own mistakes. Ali is further confused when her estranged father—Davis, who is a musician—comes back into her life.
The cast is currently led by Amanda Reid as Ali, Ne-Yo as Davis, Kelsee Kimmel as Jersey, Lamont Walker II as Knuck, and Adams as Miss Liza Jane.
The show opened at the Shubert Theatre April 20, 2024, after beginning previews March 28—read the reviews here. Michael Greif directs the work, which features choreography by Camille A. Brown.
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.
The Broadway production was nominated for 13 Tony Awards in 2024, including Best Musical. It won Tonys for Maleah Joi Moon and Lewis' performances, and also took home the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
