“Hell’s Kitchen,” the Tony- and Grammy-winning musical based on Alicia Keys’ story, will close on Broadway next month.
The former moneymaker, nominated for 13 Tonys in 2024 including Best Musical, will end its Shubert Theatre run on Feb. 22, Playbill.com reports.
Grammy winner Keys, 44, contributed music and lyrics to the 1990s-set production, which last week grossed $828,188 — less than the weekly finances needed to keep the show afloat, according to the outlet.
There was a time when the jukebox musical regularly brought in $1 million week to week, though Playbill says the grosses have only declined of late.
“Hell’s Kitchen,” whose book comes from Kristoffer Diaz, traces the “Empire State of Mind” singer’s Hell’s Kitchen beginnings through the teenage character Ali (Amanda Reid) and her mother Jersey (Kelsee Kimmel).
The production won two Tonys: Best Actress in a Musical for Maleah Joi Moon, who originated the role of Ali, and Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Kecia Lewis.
Brandon Victor Dixon, who originated the role of Ali’s previously estranged father, Diaz, will replace Ne-Yo when he returns for the last leg of shows, as of Jan. 27, per Playbill.
Keys also shared news of the closure on her Instagram Stories, saying she was “excited to see everywhere ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ goes next!!! We’re only getting started.”
Though “Hell’s Kitchen” will be leaving behind its New York roots, it still has a nationwide tour to look forward to, as well as productions slated for Germany, South Korea, and Australia.
Daily News theater critic Chris Jones found the show both “a tribute to the artistic history of Manhattan Plaza” and “a much more personal” offering, with “a great deal to enjoy here.”
Though he bemoaned the somewhat “predictable” plot beats, Jones praised the “phenomenal” Lewis as pianist Miss Liza Jane, as well as Michael Greif’s “steely” direction, and the “visual blast” of Robert Brill’s set.
