Alicia Keys brings 'Hell's Kitchen' to the Hollywood Pantages Theater

Bringing a piece of New York to Los Angeles doesn't intimidate Alicia Keys.

When creating “Hell's Kitchen,” the jukebox musical loosely based on her early life in Manhattan, Keys drew energy from her deep belief in the project. The show premiered on Broadway in 2024 and was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, including best musical. It will make its Los Angeles debut at the Hollywood Pantages Theater on Wednesday, in a move Keys sees as a natural progression that marks her success.

“We spent 13 years developing this piece,” Keys said. “I deeply believe in this. I support it. I defend it.”

The stop in Los Angeles is almost halfway through the musical's 45-city North American tour. Featuring a book by Kristoffer Diaz and directed by Michael Greif, the show features hits from Keys' career, along with additional music and lyrics written by Keys and various contributors to the show. Legendary tennis player and businesswoman Serena Williams also joined the tour as a producer. Keys called it exciting to add another powerful woman to the team.

“She saw the show early and was totally enthralled. I think she said something like, 'Alicia, you made this young bully cry,'” Keys said. “She was very connected to it and felt really committed to it. She's obviously an incredible businesswoman and visionary. It just felt right.”

Inspired by Keys' own childhood in the inner-city Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, the musical follows 17-year-old Ali in search of freedom, love and expression in 1990s New York City. Between arguments with her overprotective mother, Jersey, Ali finds solace in learning to play the piano under the tutelage of Miss Liza Jane, an elderly tenant in the family's subsidized artist housing.

Ali becomes romantically entangled with an older boy named Knuck and falls in love with music, but female relationships form the core of the story. Keys hopes the dynamic between Ali, her mother and Miss Liza Jane will help the musical transcend any limitations inherent to its particular urban setting.

“It was interesting to see that even though the story itself is based in New York City… it's a piece that really becomes timeless and no matter where you live,” Keys said. “You can understand this story and that's why it translated so well into a tour because at its core, it's really a love story between mother and daughter.”

“Hell's Kitchen” remains a distinctly New York musical. The characters discuss Rudy Giuliani's controversial stop-and-frisk police policies, and Knuck is part of a sidewalk drum group. Keys wanted to make sure the spirit of New York was “integrated into the show.”

“I just want [the audience] to feel the electricity. I want them to feel that New York energy,” Keys said. “You feel this determination. You feel this rawness. The series is set in the '90s, but… it could be today, tomorrow, yesterday.”

Like New York, Los Angeles is a city that Keys says is made up of “creative spirits” and he can't wait to see how the show is received by Hollywood audiences.

“I'm so excited to bring this to the Los Angeles community for everyone, all these creative minds and spirits who every day pursue their own dreams, break down walls and barriers, and look for ways to connect more deeply,” Keys said. “I'm excited for them to fall in love with it and have a piece of Broadway in their backyard.”

That piece will come via a touring cast comprised of emerging artists and historic talents. Maya Drake makes her first tour debut as Ali; while Kennedy Caughell (Jersey) has three national tours under her belt, including “Wicked” and “Beautiful: the Carole King Musical.” Keys finds particular pleasure in watching new talent bring her characters to life.

Maya Drake as Ali as part of the North American tour company of Alicia Keys' “Hell's Kitchen,” presenting its Los Angeles premiere at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.

(Marc J. Franklin)

“When you see the tour, you see young people who are living their dream and they are very good. I mean, they dance at the next level. They sing at the top of their lungs,” Keys said. “It's great to see young artists blossoming and flourishing.”

Ali's character is fundamentally shaped by the young artists who play her, Keys said. During the show's original run on Broadway, actress Maleah Joi Moon won a Tony for her performance at the age of 21. Drake is 19 years old, and although this tour marks his first major production, Keys called Drake a “pure veteran champion.”

“You rarely see a young woman leading such a huge piece and in such an important role,” Keys said. “It's a monster and beast role, and I think it's very meaty.”

When asked about future “Hell's Kitchen” projects, including a film adaptation, Keys laughed and said she “can't talk too much,” but that the team is exploring several areas of possibilities.

Meanwhile, “Alicia Keys: Girl From Hell's Kitchen” will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. The documentary will chronicle Keys' childhood in Hell's Kitchen and explore how her neighborhood catalyzed her career and the musical.

“It gives you a perspective of what the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood was really like,” Keys said. “It also shares the real-life inspiration and energy behind why the story is so much about dreamers.”

“Hell's Kitchen” closed on Broadway in February after 23 previews and 767 regular performances, but for Keys, in many ways, it's just getting started.

“You feel a lot of emotions. You're dancing. You feel triumphant. You're crying. You're thinking about your own family… This show is just a rollercoaster of emotions. And I'm excited for [audiences] feel it all,” Keys said. “This has without a doubt been one of the best experiences of my entire life. I love this process and I can't wait to continue doing it.”