Hell’s Kitchen at the Public – the Alicia Keys musical *very loosely* based on her childhood growing up in New York. A highly coveted ticket. I’ll be brief:

• The music is fantastic.
• Lots of energy, great dancing, very talented cast, great abs from Sarah Parker in the ensemble.
• Cool set – loved the elevator special effect.
• The lead, Maleah Joi Moon, is a star in the making – smooth, sultry voice, heartfelt acting.
• REWRITE THE BOOK!! It’s not worth describing the plot because it’s basic and boring. The plot is thinner than a 90s super model.
• My unsolicited advice: focus more on the lead’s discovery of her love of music instead of it being a random side plot. Perhaps even dig into the lead’s biracial identity, or what it’s like being a white woman raising a visibly BIPOC daughter. Lots of meaty topics ignored for silly teen drama stuff. Also, give Shoshana Bean more to do in the first act than pour water and serve salad, because she deserves better. And cut some of the narration – show, don’t tell.

It’s pretty much guaranteed to head to Broadway next season. Overall, it was a fun evening, don’t get me wrong, but boy do I hope they change the book. Until then, I have nothing more to say.

Hell’s Kitchen is playing at the Public Theater in New York until January 14, 2024. You can grab tickets here.

Featured image: Maleah Joi Moon (foreground) and the company of Hell’s Kitchen, by Joan Marcus. Publictheater.org