REVIEW: Alicia Keys’ ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Electrifies DPAC with Dazzling Vocals and Explosive Choreography
DURHAM, NC – The Grammy-winning spirit of Alicia Keys electrified the Durham Performing Arts Center Tuesday night as Alicia Keys Hell’s Kitchen, the Broadway sensation inspired by her life, launched its six-day engagement with a performance that pulsed with rhythm, heart, and undeniable star power. The production fuses Keys’ biggest hits with new music to tell the story of Ali, a determined 17-year-old chasing independence, purpose, and artistic identity in New York City.
Directed by Tony nominee Michael Greif, choreographed by Tony nominee Camille A. Brown, and written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz, the show delivers a layered theatrical experience that blends music, movement, and storytelling into one cohesive emotional journey.
Opening Night at DPAC: First Impressions
From the moment the curtain rose, the audience’s energy inside DPAC was electric. The production radiates authenticity, pulling viewers into Ali’s world with a balance of grit, humor, and vulnerability. The storytelling feels intimate yet cinematic, as lighting, projections, and set transitions seamlessly transport the audience across city blocks and emotional landscapes.
Maya Drake, making her professional debut as Ali, commands the stage with remarkable confidence and charisma. Her performance feels both youthful and emotionally grounded, capturing the push-and-pull tension between ambition and adolescence. Opposite her, JonAvery Worrell as Knuck brings warmth and charm, portraying young love with sincerity and subtle chemistry that adds emotional stakes to Ali’s journey.
Kennedy Caughell as Jersey, Ali’s mother, delivers powerhouse vocals that fill the theater with soul and conviction. Her performance underscores the layered mother-daughter dynamic at the heart of the story. Equally compelling is Roz White as Miss Liza Jane, whose commanding presence and musical storytelling create one of the production’s most inspiring sequences, paying tribute to influential women pianists who shaped musical history.
Movement, Style, and Visual Impact
The choreography is a standout force throughout the show. High-octane ensemble numbers blend hip-hop, street jazz, and theatrical movement, giving dancers space to showcase both technical precision and expressive storytelling. The wardrobe and styling lean fully into 1990s and early-2000s urban fashion, reinforcing the show’s nostalgic tone while grounding it firmly in its cultural setting.
The scenic design mirrors the pulse of New York City, shifting neighborhoods through lighting and projection so effectively that audiences always know where they are — whether in Hell’s Kitchen or elsewhere in Manhattan.
Viewer note: The production includes flashing stage lights during several musical sequences, which may affect light-sensitive patrons.
A Story Powered by Music and Legacy
Ali’s artistic gifts are no accident. Her mother, Jersey, is a singer, while her father, Davis, is a gifted pianist; their influence shapes her musical instincts and creative confidence. This generational thread adds emotional weight, reinforcing that talent, discipline, and identity often grow from family roots.
The score — supervised by Adam Blackstone with orchestrations by Tom Kitt and arrangements by Keys and Blackstone — propels the narrative forward. Songs aren’t just performances; they function as emotional turning points that reveal character growth, conflict, and transformation.
Cast Notes – February 17 Performance
The touring cast of Alicia Keys Hell’s Kitchen includes:
Kennedy Caughell, Roz White, Desmond Sean Ellington, Jonavery Worrell, Stemarcíae Bain, Miya Bass, Jaylen T. Bryant, Rashada Dawan, Sherée Marcelle Dunwell, ‘Zaiah Ellis, Mae-Lynn Flores, Destini Hendricks, Marques Furr, Sean Holland II, Alfred Jackson, Gigi Lewis, Christopher Miller, Usman Ali Mughal, Chikezie “Chike” Nwankwo, Sangeetha “Sang” Santhebennur, Marley Soleil Beda, Spindola Asten Stewart, TeeTee, Sydney Townsend, Timothy Wilson, Ethan Zundell, and introducing Maya Drake.
No substitutions of major actors were announced for opening night.
Why Alicia Keys Hell’s Kitchen Resonates
More than a jukebox musical, the production explores:
- Self-determination
- Mother-daughter bonds
- Mentorship
- Young love
- Creative identity
- Community influence
At its core, the story is about claiming your voice — and understanding the people and places that shaped it.
Show Details
Broadway at DPAC
📍 Durham Performing Arts Center
📅 February 17–22, 2026
🎟 Tickets start at $52 (+ tax)
🎓 Student Rush tickets: $30 (released morning of each performance)
Final Take
Hell’s Kitchen doesn’t simply stage Alicia Keys’ music — it channels her artistic spirit into a theatrical celebration of ambition, resilience, and self-discovery. With only a handful of performances in Durham, the opportunity to experience it is brief, but the production’s energy, talent, and emotional resonance make it a performance that lingers long after the final note.