Before Alicia Keys became a global music star, her story began in a New York City neighborhood shaped by grit, creativity and sound. That journey is at the heart of “Hell’s Kitchen,” a stage production inspired by Keys’ early life and the experiences that helped form her as an artist.
Set in 1990s Manhattan, the story follows 17‑year‑old Ali, a restless and passionate teen from the titular neighborhood who is navigating life under the watchful eye of her protective single mother. Her world shifts when she meets a neighbor who introduces her to the piano, an encounter that becomes the foundation of her future.
Blending Keys’ iconic hits with new music written for the production, the show offers an emotionally charged portrait of growing up, finding your voice and discovering your community.
In the touring production, which hits the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale March 10–22 (sandwiched between stops in Orlando and Tampa), Maya Drake stars as Ali, under the direction of Michael Greif, with choreography by Camille A. Brown and a book by Kristoffer Diaz. “Hell’s Kitchen” has earned critical praise as a “rare must‑see,” resonating through its exploration of mothers and daughters, ambition and identity.
For more information, visit browardcenter.org.