The musical, which is loosely based on Keys’ life and includes hits from the Grammy winner’s catalogue, is now playing at the Shubert Theatre in New York City
Alicia Keys’ new Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen has the Oprah seal of approval.
The talk show giant on Sunday, April 21 shared to social media a loving message of support about the musical, which officially opened to rave reviews at the Shubert Theatre in New York City the day before.
“You know it’s a great show when you wake up the next morning humming the songs,” wrote Oprah, 70, captioning a gallery of photos to Instagram from the opening celebrations including a shot of her posing at the afterparty with pals Michelle Obama and Gayle King, as well as Keys, Keys’ mother Terria Joseph and Keys’ husband Swizz Beatz.
She went on to tell Keys that she was “so proud and happy for you and what you so artfully accomplished with your new Broadway musical [Hell’s Kitchen] — surrounded by a team of fantastics and a spectacular cast.”
“Brava, Brava, my friend, many times over,” Oprah wrote.
Hell’s Kitchen tells an original story by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz based on Keys’ experiences of growing up in the New York City neighborhood of the same name.
The musical, according to its official logline, is set in the ’90s and follows Ali, “a 17-year-old girl full of fire, searching for freedom, passion and her place in the world. Rebellious and stifled by an overprotective single mother, Ali is lost until she meets her mentor: a neighbor who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano.”
Keys, 43, penned new songs for the show, though some of the Grammy Award winner’s greatest hits are included in the musical as well, including “Fallin’,” “No One,” “If I Ain’t Got You,” “You Don’t Know My Name,” “Teenage Love Affair,” “Girl on Fire” and of course, “Empire State of Mind.”
Back in February, Keys opened up to PEOPLE about the musical, explaining she had been working on it for the past 13 years and “can’t even believe” it was finally coming to fruition.
“Ultimately it’s a love story between mother and daughter,” she said. “It’s incredible. My mother left Toledo, Ohio, to come to NYU in New York City. She is the New York story, the one that came from wherever and chased the dream, which is what allowed me to be in New York City and grow up there and find a dream. So that’s really the concept of Hell’s Kitchen. To watch that come to life with my mother . . . is such a dream come true.”
Hell’s Kitchen is playing an open run on Broadway. Direction comes from Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal, Dear Evan Hansen), with choreography by Camille A. Brown.
Leading the cast is newcomer Maleah Joi Moon as Ali, alongside principal stars Shoshana Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon, Kecia Lewis and Chris Lee.
The rest of the cast features Chad Carstarphen, Reid Clarke, Chloe Davis, Nico DeJesus, Timothy L. Edwards, Desmond Sean Ellington, Badia Farha, Vanessa Ferguson, David Guzman, Gianna Harris, Jakeim Hart, Takia Hopson, Jackie Leon, Raechelle Manalo, Jade Milan, Onyxx Noel, Susan Oliveras, Sarah Parker, Aaron Nicholas Patterson, William Roberson, Niki Saludez, Nyseli Vega, Donna Vivino, Lamont Walker II, Rema Webb, and Oscar Whitney Jr.
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At the curtain call for Sunday’s premiere, Keys was surprised on stage by her blended family, including Swizz Beatz, their son, Genesis Ali, and two of Beatz’s three children from his previous relationships, Prince Nasir and Kasseem Jr.
“This is my family and every time I have to say late or go, they’re very understanding of this process. And so it wouldn’t happen without y’all. It wouldn’t happen, never. So I’m so grateful to my family,” Keys said, noting that her son, Egypt Daoud, and Beatz’ daughter Nicole were “missing tonight” but were “here in spirit.”
She also sent love to her mother. “I cannot leave this stage without thanking my mother,” Keys said. “Every sacrifice that she ever made and every dream that she ever had is here tonight. I love you mommy! We love you so much.”
Tickets to Hell’s Kitchen are now on sale.
