Alicia Keys’ “Hell’s Kitchen” Broadway musical is a tribute to community and connection, and a mother-daughter love story. The main character, 17-year-old Ali (Maya Drake), butts heads with her overprotective mother, Jersey (Kennedy Caughell), while falling head-over-heels for the handsome drummer, Knuck (Jonavery Worrell).

With music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning Keys and book by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz, “Hell’s Kitchen” captures the awkwardness and cringe of being a 17-year-old girl who wants to experience love and who rebels against her mother at every turn. 

Set in the Manhattan Plaza building of the Hell’s Kitchen New York neighborhood, Ali encounters all types of people, from the watchful doorman to regal Miss Liza Jane (Roz White), who teaches Ali to turn her emotions into music. 

The semi-autobiographical production revolves around Keys’ top hits, including “Girl on Fire,” “No One,” “Fallin’” and “If I Ain’t Got You,” along with some original songs. There were several moments in “Hell’s Kitchen” that took my breath away as the vocal performances of the cast were stellar. 

As Ali and Knuck start their relationship, Jersey is determined to keep Ali from getting pregnant, calling the boys she hangs with “hormones in hoodies.” She’s also extremely focused on having dinner ready at 6 p.m. When Ali’s secret life is discovered, the mother-daughter relationship is strained to a breaking point, and Knuck’s life takes a potentially dangerous turn.

Caughell was excellent at portraying a mother’s frustration, angst and fear that rise when a daughter is heading down a dangerous path. She teaches Ali how to navigate big emotions, how to own up to mistakes, and how she doesn’t have to do it alone. 

Drake was fantastic at showing both sides of her character, a strong individual just starting an adult life, and a young girl who still needs a mom. She got the nuance down so well, perhaps because Drake is a recent high school graduate and this is her professional stage debut. 

Standout vocal performances include a show-stopping rendition of “Pawn It All,” sung by Caughell as she dresses down her ex (and Ali’s father) Davis (Desmond Sean Ellington), and “Hallelujah/Like Water” combined the powerhouse vocals of Drake, Ellington and White in a remembrance of Miss Liza Jane’s character and a tribute to humanity’s ability to flow like water in the face of adversity. 

Scenic design by Robert Brill was immersive and engaging as the high-rise elevator effect let the audience visit different floors and meet unseen characters. The set also easily transitioned to the neighborhood outside and to the Ellington Room, where Ali meets Miss Liza Jane for lessons. 

Ensemble dancers added fun energy and a colorful dimension to the performance, thanks to the choreography of four-time Tony Award® nominee Camille A. Brown. Costume design by Dede Ayite captured the casual, grunge fashion of the 1990s. 

“Hell’s Kitchen” is directed by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif. Presented by Zions Bank and Broadway at the Eccles, “Hell’s Kitchen” plays at the Eccles Theater through Sunday, July 12. Tickets are still available.