Broadway's Alicia Keys musical, Hell's Kitchen, has found a new star in Amanda Reid, who will make her Broadway debut as Ali beginning May 27 at the Shubert Theatre.
Reid succeeds Tony-winning original star Maleah Joi Moon, who played her final performance March 30. Understudy Jade Milan has been taking on the role in Moon's absence.
The production will celebrate the casting with the release of a Deluxe Edition of the show's Grammy-winning Broadway cast album. Due from Alicia Keys Records/Interscope Records, the release will include three newly recorded bonus tracks. Reid will be joined by Keys herself on "The River," and by current star Durrell "Tank" Babbs for "If I Ain't Got You." Tank has also recorded his solo "Not Even the King." "The River" will release May 16, with the other two tracks following May 19.
Reid was most recently seen on Apple TV's Me as Carter, and previously appeared in Miss Juneteenth. She is a current musical theatre student at Shenandoah University.
Hell's Kitchen features music and lyrics by Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz. Inspired by the 15-time Grammy winner's life, the story centers on 17-year-old Ali and her mother, sharing a cramped apartment near Times Square. Ali wants to live out her NYC dream, but Mom is scared her daughter will repeat her own mistakes. Ali is further confused when her estranged father—Davis, who is a musician—comes back into her life.
The show opened at the Shubert Theatre April 20, 2024, after beginning previews March 28—read the reviews here. Michael Greif directs the work, which features choreography by Camille A. Brown.
The current cast also stars Jessica Vosk (Wicked) as Jersey, nine-time Grammy nominee Babbs as Davis, Phillip Johnson Richardson (The Wiz) as Knuck, and Tony winner Kecia Lewis (Ain't Misbehavin') as Miss Liza Jane, along with Angela Birchett, Chad Carstarphen, Reid Clarke, Chloe Davis, Nico DeJesus, Timothy L. Edwards, Desmond Sean Ellington, Badia Farha, Vanessa Ferguson, Gianna Harris, Jakeim Hart, Takia Hopson, Gabriel Hyman, Lindsey Jolyn Jackson, Eliazar Jimenez, Kelsee Kimmel, Jackie Leon, Raechelle Manalo, Jade Milan, Onyxx Noel, Susan Oliveras, Sarah Parker, Eric Parra, Aaron Nicholas Patterson, Amanda Reid, William Roberson, Niki Saludez, Nyseli Vega, Lamont Walker II, and Oscar Whitney Jr. Casting is by Heidi Griffiths and Kate Murray.
READ: Brandon Victor Dixon Reflects on His Time in Hell's Kitchen
The music team includes music director Lily Ling and orchestrators Adam Blackstone and Tom Kitt with arrangements by Keys and Blackstone. The creative team also includes scenic designer Robert Brill, costume designer Dede Ayite, lighting designer Natasha Katz, sound designer Gareth Owen, projection designer Peter Nigrini, hair and wig designer Mia Neal, and makeup designer Michael Clifton. Foresight Theatrical is general manager, and Danny Maly serves as production stage manager.
The Broadway production was nominated for 13 2024 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It won Tonys for Moon and Lewis' performances, and also took home the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Visit .