She’s already a hit-making singer–songwriter.
And now Alicia Keys can add successful musical creator to her résumé after she scored strong reviews from Sunday’s opening night of her new show Hell’s Kitchen.
The off-Broadway jukebox musical features some of the 42-year-old songstress’ biggest songs, along with several new tunes written for the production, which features a book by Kristoffer Diaz.
Alicia looked as stylish as ever on the opening night red carpet, where she was joined by some of the musical’s stars and Angela Bassett.
Afterward, she made a stop at Manhattan’s swanky DOM nightclub to celebrate before the positive reviews started to roll in.
Big night: Alicia Keys, 42, look chic in double denim as she attended the opening night of her new jukebox musical Hell’s Kitchen at the Public Theater in NYC on Sunday
Party time! The songstress, who provided several classic and new songs for the production, later headed to the DOM nightclub in Manhattan to celebrate the musical’s rave reception
Alicia looked effortlessly chic as she hit the red carpet in a midnight blue double-denim co-ord.
The look featured a button-up top with thick, rippling sleeves and large gold buttons running up her chest, along with buttoned breast pockets.
She paired it with a matching set of wide-legged jeans that completely hid her footwear while featuring the same gold buttons.
She completed her look with thick braids and large dangling gold earrings.
On her Instagram, Alicia shared a post celebrating her opening night.
‘Celebrating an extremely special evening today: My Musical HELL’S KITCHEN OPENING NIGHT!!! Working with the most talented, brilliant and beautiful artists to create something totally unforgettable,’ she gushed. ‘It’s pure magic and I know you’ll love it as much as we do.
‘To every soul who has put their ALL into making this come to life, I cherish you!’ she continued. ‘We are here!!!! And we’re just getting started!’
In the video, she gave a pep talk to the musical’s performers while moving music from If Beale Street Could Talk was layered over her speech.
‘I just think you all are the most talented, brilliant, beautiful artists that are standing here right now,’ she said.
Blue mood: Alicia looked effortlessly chic as she hit the red carpet in a midnight blue double-denim co-ord. The look featured a button-up top with thick, rippling sleeves and large gold buttons running up her chest, along with buttoned breast pockets
Leading her troops: A video she posted to Instagram showed her giving the cast an inspirational pep talk before opening night’s show
Star power: Alicia was joined at the premiere by several of Hell’s Kitchen’s stars, as well as honorary Oscar winner Angela Bassett
Running free: The Black Panther star stood out in a striking red-and-purple blouse and matching slacks that were decorated with illustrations of horses
Alicia was joined at the premiere by several of Hell’s Kitchen’s stars, as well as honorary Oscar winner Angela Bassett.
The Black Panther star stood out in a striking red-and-purple blouse and matching slacks that were decorated with illustrations of horses.
She wore her lustrous raven hair parted down the middle and cascading in waves down her shoulders.
Alicia’s jukebox musical is semi-autobiographical, so it was fitting that she was also joined at opening night by her mother Teresa Augello.
The show tells the story of 17-year-old Ali (played by Maleah Joi Moon), who lives with her mother on the 42nd floor of a high-rise apartment building in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood.
Her mother has tried to keep her daughter safe from crime and less-savory aspects afflicting the neighborhood at the time, but once she’s away at work for the night, Ali sneaks out and spends time with an older boyfriend, who describes himself as a ‘thug.’
Along the way, her often-absent father drops in, and a piano teacher helps to instill the passion for music that will lift her from the edge of poverty into future stardom.
The show received strong reviews out of the gate, with Variety praising it’s ‘powerhouse’ cast, while The Guardian gave it a stellar five-star review.
Vulture handed out a strong, if measured, review, calling it a comfort-food musical, which was the equivalent of a tasty chocolate-chip cookie.
Alicia’s jukebox musical is semi-autobiographical, so it was fitting that she was also joined at opening night by her mother Teresa Augello
The show tells the story of 17-year-old Ali (played by Maleah Joi Moon), who lives with her mother on the 42nd floor of a high-rise apartment building in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood
Inspiring: Ali is attracted to an older self-described ‘thug,’ but a piano teacher inspires her and helps set her on a course to be a musical superstar
It’s a hit! The show received stellar reviews, and even the critics who complained about its story or second act praised the cast and Alicia’s show-stopping tunes
Even Jesse Green of the New York Times, who criticized Hell’s Kitchen’s meandering second act, praised its ‘ambitious’ first act, which he said was thrilling.
He also lauded the show for avoiding the trap many show’s about living figures fall into when they become sugarcoated hagiographies.
After the well-received public premiere, Alicia and her comrades made their way to the DOM nightclub in Manhattan to boogie the night away.
Hell’s Kitchen runs at the Public Theater through January 14, 2024, and it’s expected to have a Broadway transfer afterward.
