🎭 Music Saves, Family Invests | "Hells Kitchen" @ BIH/Pantages

[cahwyguy]

As of the time I’m writing this, I have 57,778 songs in my music library. However, until the musical Hell’s Kitchen popped onto the scene, I don’t think I had ever knowingly listened to a song by Alicia Keys. That’s actually not a surprise: Most of my music listening is music on my iPod Classic; I discover new music through the Tony Awards, the Woodsongs Radio Hour, the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast, and (until it stopped its podcast) the Mostly Folk podcast. I’m into folk and bluegrass and cast albums. Although I enjoy rhythm and I enjoy the blues, I’m not that much into the slower R&B music. I generally don’t watch the Grammys as I’m not really into modern hip-hop and rap, and so I don’t discover the new and upcoming artists unless they are on something else I watch.  To put it succinctly, Keyes was new to me.

Shortly before the 2024 Tony awards, I downloaded the cast album of Hell’s Kitchen into my library and onto my iPod. It was interesting and had some good songs, although I couldn’t really discern the story. After all, this was a jukebox musical, where the songs are selected from an artists catalog to fit a story and set the mood, and they don’t always serve, advance, and illuminate the plot.

Last night, we saw the Hell’s Kitchen  tour at the Pantages.

I’m not sure what to say, which is something different from being speechless. The show had remarkable dancing, and the story was somewhat like Keys’ biography. Well, a little. The music was beautiful, and the performances were very good. And yet, I was left unmoved.

As I noted, the story was somewhat like Keys’ own. It does take place in Manhattan Plaza in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen community, where Keys did grow up. The lead character, Ali, was the child of a bi-racial family where the father left early, and she was raised by a single-mom who was a former actress. Her wikipedia bio notes that Keys “credits her “tough” mother for anchoring her on a right path as opposed to many people she knew who ended up on the wrong path and in jail. Keys attributed her unusual maturity as a young girl to her mother, who depended on her to be responsible while she worked…” But from there it diverges. Whereas Keys was raised on Jazz music, sang and started playing piano at the age of six, and started classical piano training at age seven, the lead character in Hell’s Kitchen took a different path. Ali wants to go out with the dangerous boys, including and especially Nuk, a pickle-drum drummer and house painter. She had no other interest in music until she goes to the music room at her apartment, where she meet Miss Liza Jane who starts teaching her piano. This is at age 16-17, and seemingly in a year or less she has it mastered. The story in the musical concerts Ali’s relationship with Nuk, how that impacts her relationship with her mother, and how she discovered music through Miss Liza Jane. It deals with Ali maturing into a more adult relationship with her mother and her mostly-absent father.

Talking about the story, I should explain the title of this writeup. One of the key plot lines in the story is about music, and how Ali’s discovery of the piano provides her a refuge from the turmoil and leads her to a path forward and out. The other key plot line of the story is the love of family: Although Ali fights with her mother Jersey, they ultimately work through it and grow to depend upon and support each other. Jersey provides the investment into Ali’s safety that moves her forward.

My wife really enjoyed the story. I found it interesting, but could see how it had been assembled to use the music catalog. It is hard to do an effective jukebox musical. There are lots of them, and we’re seeing perhaps the first and best example of them next week, Ain’t Misbehavin’ . Others are hit and miss. Some, like Jersey Boys, work well. Some, like Mamma Mia, are fluff that exists to highlight a great musical catalog. Here, the story was a reasonable one, but it would have been better if I had been able to understand the lyrics that were supposedly supporting the story. The problem was that the sound design for the tour left the side orchestra seats with muddy sound, and the fast nature of the lyrics made it hard to understand the words. This isn’t a problem for those familiar with an artists catalog before the show: they already know the songs and the words. Those who are unfamiliar with the artist are dependent on the sound designer to make the show legibly audible in all the seats. The tour missed its mark in that area (and I know it is the tour: we’ve had no other problems recently with sound design in the Pantages).

This brings us to the music. I’m torn on how to express this. The music was good, but it just wasn’t the style or musical genre that hooked me. I enjoyed it; I was tapping my foot throughout the faster songs. But it didn’t have the underlying melodic lines I tend to like; I can’t really say that the music would make me go out and buy albums from Alicia Keys catalog. This is unlike, say, American Idiot, which I enjoyed so much I started buying albums from Green Day. Listening to the music while writing this up, it has a very R&B feel to it. Slow R&B at times. But not being my style doesn’t make it bad; it just makes it not my style. My wife thoroughly enjoyed the music. I believe that if you like modern pop or R&B music and especially Alicia Keys, you’ll enjoy this music.

The dance was spectacular, but again: it was modern. I don’t know how to describe it. Hip-hop? Street? Break? All I know is that it wasn’t traditional theatre dancing and that it was really fun to watch. The dance performances were very strong. When compared to the last show we saw in Southern California, Brigadoon, the dancing was 180° different. Brigadoon was traditional and spoke the language of ballet and ballroom, with a little celtic thrown in. HK was street and angles and bounce and rapid angular movement. Each beautiful in their own way.

The performances were outstanding. Alas, we didn’t get to see the tour lead, Maya Drake, as Ali. Instead, we got Marley Soleil who normally plays Jessica. Soleil was spectacular as Ali, bringing a great energy and a wonderful voice to the role. But the actor who moved me the most was Roz White as Miss Liza Jane. She brought a gravitas to the role that shone from the stage, and was just a delight to watch. Also strong was Kennedy Caughell as Jersey, Ali’s mom. She had an incredibly strong duet in the second act that just blew everyone away. I also was blown away by the musical performances of the actors. I don’t mean singing—I mean playing instruments. I was closely watching those who were supposedly playing piano: Soleil as Ali, White as Liza Jane, Desmond Ellington as Davis. All seemed to be really playing the instruments, including the pedal work. The actors who were playing the pickle tub drums were also really playing. It is nice to see the talent on stage.

Will this show have a long life post-tour? That’s harder to say. There’s no confetti cannon, which is a plus. The music is accessible to the “youngers”, which will bring in the audience. But the scenic design depends heavily on projections to create the “New York” feel, and to establish locale. Will regional or smaller theatres be able to duplicate the staging? That’s really hard to say.

Speaking of New York: The closing song is “Empire State of Mind”, essentially a tribute to New York as the greatest city in the world. This hit very strange in Los Angeles. Theatre is so very centered in New York and in Broadway, that the writers often forget that theatre exists in other cities, and that other cities can also be great.

So, overall, what is my assessment of the show. It certainly wasn’t a bad show; that’s reserved for things like Girl from the North Country or I, Caligula. It wasn’t a favorite show: one that I might go out of my way to see multiple times, or feel compelled to see regional productions of. Well, maybe on the latter, just to see if a different take on the show uncovers something or works without the original staging.

As for the assessment. For those that know of and appreciate Keys’ music, this was a very good jukebox musical with a compelling story and remarkable performances. For those unfamiliar with Keys’ music: This is a good exposure to her music. You’ll really enjoy the performances and the dance and the compelling storyline.

Hell’s Kitchen continues at the Hollywood Pantages through June 21, 2026. Tickets are available through the Broadway in Hollywood/Pantages website.

Credits

Hell’s Kitchen. Music and lyrics by Alicia Keys. Book by Kristoffer Dias. Directed by Michael Greif. Choreography by Camille A. Brown.

Cast [underscores indicate “at our performance”; strikeouts indicate “not at our performance”; ↑ indicates “swung up”]: Maya Drake Marley Soleil Ali; Kennedy Caughell Jersey; Roz White Miss Liza Jane; Desmond Sean Ellington Davis; Jonavery Worrell Knuck; Rashada Dawan Crystal; ‘Zaiah Ellis Q, Ensemble; Mae-Lynn Flores Ensemble; Marques Furr Asten Stewart Dance Ensemble, “Hallelujah” Dancer, Ensemble; Destini Hendricks Dance Ensemble, “Unthinkable” Dancer, “Work on It” Dancer, Ensemble; Sean Holland II ‘Riq; Gigi Lewis Tiny, Ensemble; Christopher Miller Dance Ensemble, “Unthinkable” Dancer, Ensemble; Usman Ali Mughal Dance Ensemble, “Work on It” Dancer, Ensemble, Police Officer; Chikezie “Chike” Nwankwo Ray; Sangeetha “Sang” Santhebennur Dance Ensemble; Marley Soleil Sydney Townsend Jessica; Beda Spindola Millie, Ensemble; Ethan Zundell Dance Ensemble; Stemarciae Bain Ensemble; TeeTee Ensemble. Swings: ↑ Stemarciae Bain Asst. Dance Captain; Miya Bass; Jaylen T. Bryant; Sherée Marcelle Dunwell; Alfred Jackson Fight Captain; ↑ Asten Stewart; ↑ TeeTee, ↑ Sydney Townsend, Timothy Wilson Dance Captain.

Music Department ( indicates local): Adam Blackstone Music Supervisor, Co-Orchestrator, Co-Arranger; Tom Kitt Music Consultant, Co-Orchestrator; Lily Ling Assoc Music Supervisor; Kristy Norter Music Coordinator; Emily Orr Music Director, Keyboard 1; Enrico de Trizio Ableton and Electronic Drum Programmer; Joy Brown Asst. Conductor, Keyboard 2; Darrick Brown Music Assoc, Keyboard Swing; Azana Hightower Guitar 1; Jamick A. Johnson-Hector Bass; Adam Bailey Percussion; Brandon Brooks Drums; Dan Lutz Bass (5-String Electric, Acoustic Stick Bass, Synth Bass); Eric Heinly Music Contractor; Randy Cohen/Randy Cohen Keyboards LLC Synthesizer Programming; Chris Sutherland Drum Programming; Jared “Choclatt” Crawford Bucket Drum Consultant; Jason Berlanger Music Asst.; Emily Grishman Music Copying; Timothy Hanson Music Preparation.

Production and Creative: Alicia Keys Book Music, and Lyrics; Kristoffer Diaz Book; Michael Greif Director; Camille A. Brown Choreographer; Robert Brill Scenic Designer; Dede Ayite Costume Designer; Natasha Katz Lighting Designer; Gareth Owen Sound Designer; Peter Nigrini Projection Designer; Mia Neal Hair and Wig Designer; Michael Clifton Makeup Designer; Monet Assoc. Director; Rickey Tripp Assoc. Choreographer; Tom Schall Fight Director; Rocio Mendez Intimacy Coordinator; Bond Theatrical Tour Booking, Marketing, and Publicity; Doug Rodgers Company Manager; Veronica Aglow Production Stage Manager; Hollace Jeffords Stage Manager; Jasmin Holton Asst Stage Manager; Amber Dickerson Sub Asst Stage Manager; Caroline Inches Sub Asst Stage Manager; Kate Murray, CSA & Heidi Griffiths, CSA Casting; Juniper Street Productions Production Manager; Foresight Theatrical General Manager; Aaron Lustbader Executive Producer; The Public Theatre Originating Theatre.

Administrivia

I am not a professional critic. I’m a retired cybersecurity professional, a roadgeek who does a highway site and a podcast about California Highways, and someone who loves live performance. I buy all my own tickets, unless explicitly noted otherwise. I do these writeups to share my thoughts on shows with my friends and the community. I encourage you to go to your local theatres and support them (ideally, by purchasing full price tickets, if you can afford to do so). We currently subscribe or have memberships at: Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre; Broadway in Hollywood/Pantages Theatre; Pasadena Playhouse; The Soraya, Chromolume Theatre, and 5-Star Theatricals.

Want to find a show: Check out the Theatre Commons LA show list. Other good lists are the Theatre in LA listings; the TodayTix listings; OnStage 411 (use the “shows” drop down); and Theatermania.

As the Tonys approach, shows left and right have been announcing that they will be going on tour (even shows that are closing). So, even though we haven’t started the 2026-2027 seasons for Broadway in Hollywood (BIH) and the Center Theatre Group (CTG), here are my predictions for the 2027-2028 seasons in Los Angeles.

^* indicates shows for which tours are not yet announce, but I’m guessing they will tour.

Sources: Playbill as indicated, Tours to You, Broadway League Tours.

Show	Where It Will End Up
The Lost Boys	BIH/Pantages
Ragtime	BIH/Pantages
Every Brilliant Thing	CTG/Taper, but note there will be a local production at The Main in Sept. 2026
Beaches	BIH/Pantages
Titanique	BIH/Pantages
Just In Time	BIH/Pantages
Two Strangers Carry A Cake Across New York	CTG/Ahmanson
Schmigadoon!	BIH/Pantages
Cats: The Jellicle Ball*	CTG/Taper, but poss. BIH/Pantages
Giant*	CTG/Ahmanson (but possibly as a local production)
Rocky Horror – New Broadway Production*	BIH/Pantages
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella	BIH/Pantages (Add-On)
Heathers – The Musical	CTG/Ahmanson
Liberation*	In 2027 at the Geffen Playhouse
The Ballusters*	Local production at the Geffen or Pasadena Playhouse.

Additionally, May saw the opening of ticket sales for the Hollywood Fringe Festival. There are over 2,150 performances over the month of June; there are 439 shows listed in the show catalog. These all occur during the month of June, with multiple shows throughout the day. 20 minutes to move in; then the show; 20 minutes to move out. Ticket prices are low. The shows run the gamut, from totally strange to one person shows to full on short plays to musical reviews. You’re sure to find something you’ll like.

Upcoming

Key: ♦ Theatre / ♣ Music / ◊ Other Live Performance – Next 90ish Days (⊕ indicates ticketing is pending).

• June: ♦ Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Ebony Rep; ♦ Elegies at Chromolume; ♦ Primary Trust at CTG/Taper; ♦ Mamma Mia at CTG/Ahmanson.


• July: ♦ Mexodus at Pasadena Playhouse; ♦ The Wizard of Oz at 5-Star Theatricals; ♦ If/Then at Chromolume Theatre.


• August: ♦ Beauty and the Beast at BIH/Pantages;


• September: ♦ Water for Elephants at BIH/Pantages; ♦⊕ The Visit at Pasadena Playhouse; ♦ The Turning at Taper/CTG; ♣⊕ Sutton Foster at The Soraya; ♦⊕ Catch Me If You Can at The Colony Theatre; ♦⊕Every Brilliant Thing at The Main; 

This entry was originally posted on Observations Along the Road as 🎭 Music Saves, Family Invests | "Hells Kitchen" @ BIH/Pantages by cahwyguy. Although you can comment on DW, please make comments on original post at the Wordpress blog using the link to the left. You can sign in with your LJ, DW, FB, or a myriad of other accounts. Note: Subsequent changes made to the post on the blog are not propagated by the SNAP Crossposter; please visit the original post to see the latest version. P.S.: If you see share buttons above, note that they do not work outside of the Wordpress blog.