Hell's Kitchen, Alicia Keys' musical love letter to New York City, began performances March 28 at the Shubert Theatre ahead of an April 20 opening night. See Keys, Maleah Joi Moon, and the company of Hell's Kitchen perform the original song "Kaleidoscope" in the music video above.
The video was filmed at NYC locations including Manhattan Plaza's courtyard and the Ellington room, where Keys first learned to play piano. New York native Kajal served as director, with choreography by Hell's Kitchen choreographer Camille A. Brown.
“This video is so special to me," Keys said in a statement. "It captures the spirit of Hell’s Kitchen, the place I grew up, and the new musical we’ve worked so hard to bring to life! One that is now debuting on Broadway on 4/20! I’m so proud to showcase a place I call home, and the amazing community that helped make me who I am today. It also showcases the special cast of Hell’s Kitchen who are incredible artists and have that same feeling I do, we live in a concrete jungle where DREAMS are made of! This city holds a lot of hope. I want people to feel inspired by that hope, the song, the music, the movement, the lifestyle and the video.”
"Kaleidoscope" is currently available on all streaming platforms via Alicia Keys Records. The single is produced by Breyan Isaac and Keys, and co-produced by Adam Blackstone.
Hell's Kitchen features music and lyrics by Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz. Michael Greif directs. 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 led by Shoshana Bean (Wicked) as Jersey, Brandon Victor Dixon (Hamilton) as Davis, Kecia Lewis (Ain't Misbehavin') as Miss Liza Jane, Chris Lee (Hamilton) as Knuck, and Moon as Ali.
READ: Camille A. Brown Is Bringing '90s New York Back to Broadway in Hell's Kitchen
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, alongside ensemble members Reid Clarke, Chloe Davis, Nico DeJesus, Timothy L. Edwards, David Guzman, Raechelle Manalo, Sarah Parker, and Niki Saludez. Rounding out the company are understudies Desmond Sean Ellington, Badia Farha, Gianna Harris, Jade Milan, Susan Oliveras, and Oscar Whitney Jr.; and swings Takia Hopson, Onyxx Noel, Aaron Nicholas Patterson, and William Roberson. Donna Vivino serves as standby for Jersey.
Most of the cast members are reprising their performances from the musical's 2023 Off-Broadway premiere at The Public Theater, with only Webb, Vega, and Hopson new for the Broadway run. Casting is by Heidi Griffiths and Kate Murray.
Greif reassembled his complete Off-Broadway creative team for the Broadway bow. 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.
AKW Productions is producing the Broadway run, with Aaron Lustbader serving as executive producer. Co-producers include ROC Nation, DML Productions, Julie Yorn, Mandy Hackett, The Jacobs Family, Sharpton Swindal Productions, John Gore Organization, Terria Joseph, Andy Nahas, James L. Nederlander, Clara Wu Tsai, Grove Entertainment, Independent Presenters Network, Della Pietra Spark Theatricals, and The Public Theater.
Visit HellsKitchen.com.