Kecia Lewis has set a final bow in her Tony-winning run as Miss Liza Jane in Broadway's Hell's Kitchen at the Shubert Theatre, where her final performance will be December 13. Along with the Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Lewis was honored with a Grammy, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Lucille Lortel Award for her work in the Alicia Keys musical, which she's starred in since its beginnings Off-Broadway.
To replace her in the role, the show has recruited some Grammy-winning talent in gospel music icon Yolanda Adams. Already a Tony nominee as one of the songwriters of Broadway's SpongeBob SquarePants, Adams will make her Broadway performing debut in Hell's Kitchen beginning December 16. Adams' limited engagement will continue through January 25, 2026.
“Performing on Broadway has always been a dream of mine,” says Adams in a 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!”
“I am beyond excited to welcome one of the greats across the globe, Yolanda Adams to the Hell’s Kitchen family,” adds Keys. “Her singular, extraordinary voice and undeniable presence will bring great power, light, and emotion to the role of Miss Liza Jane, a role created so beautifully by Kecia Lewis. Her authenticity and heart perfectly embody the soul of this story and we are excited for audiences to witness her artistry.”
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, Jessica Vosk (Wicked) as Jersey, Christopher Jackson (Hamilton) as Davis, Phillip Johnson Richardson (The Wiz) as Knuck, and Lewis as Miss Liza Jane. Jackson's final performance is November 9, with Vosk and Richardson's final bows set for November 30. Durrell "Tank" Babbs will assume the role of Davis November 18-30, with Vosk to be succeeded by Kelsee Kimmel (through January 11) and Richardson to be succeeded by Lamont Walker II.
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.
