Before anything else is said about Hell's Kitchen, praise must be heaped on this amazing cast. Maleah Joi Moon is simply spectacular as Ali, the seventeen year old girl who struggles with her mother, falls in love with the boy who seems all wrong for her, and discovers her love for music with an elder virtuoso. The combination of love and tension is perfect between Ali and her mom, Jersey (Shoshana Bean). Bean is basically in the background until she rocks out to surprise and thrill the audience- yes, standing ovation! The other knockout is Kecia Lewis, as Miss Liza Jane. Her voice emerges from deep inside her soul, flawless, sure, and heartbreaking. No wonder Ali wants to spend every spare minute with her.
Ali's other obsession is with Knuck (Chris Lee), a neighborhood youth who likes to hang out with the guys and make street music. It's no wonder she falls for Ali. He's a hunk with a heart of gold, and the two do finally connect, on the sofa in Ali's apartment. When her mom walks in on the scene, all hell breaks loose. Knuck didn't realize Ali's age and gets hauled off by the police.
Jersey is on her last nerve and finally does the one thing she vowed not to do: she calls Ali's father, Davis (Brandon Victor Dixon). He's smooth, irresistible, and he truly does care about his daughter. But he's also unreliable, and when he vows to be there for Jersey and Ali, it's a good bet that in the end, he won't show up.
The rest of the cast is filled with both charm and energy, singing and dancing with amazing talent, and great heart. Of course, this is a musical from New York's own phenomenal Alicia Keys, so the music is always entertaining (but really loud).
”Kaleidoscope,” “Girl on Fire,” and especially “Empire State of Mind” are familiar, yet totally fresh.
The audience cheers for this show, and rightly so. It's vibrant, current, and totally entertaining.
