Alicia Keys' 'Hell's Kitchen' Opens to Mixed Reviews

Critics Praise Performances and Music, But Note Lacking Storyline

Alicia Keys' new musical 'Hell's Kitchen' opened at the Public Theater, featuring a star-making performance from Maleah Joi Moon as Ali, a character based on Keys' own teenage years.
The musical, set in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen during the late 1990s, explores Ali's musical awakening, her relationship with her mother Jersey, and a romance with an older boy, Knuck.
Despite the powerful performances and thrilling choreography, critics note that the musical's plot is notably slight and the storytelling vague, with supporting characters underdeveloped.
The musical features well-known hits from Keys' catalog as well as three new songs she composed for the show, with critics praising the music as the highlight of the production.
Despite its narrative shortcomings, the musical's ambition and potential for Broadway success are noted, with its finale featuring Keys' 'Empire State of Mind' being a crowd-pleaser.