The long awaited “Hell’s Kitchen”, (Book by Kristoffer Diaz, music and lyrics by Alicia Keys) Alicia Keys semi- semi-autobiographical coming of age story in the ‘90’s, has finally reached the San Diego Civic Theatre through Aug. 16th. Although Keys has a home in la Jolla, her early years were spent in Hell’s Kitchen.
According to Keys, ‘this is everyone’s coming of age story; of anyone trying to find his or her way’.
For over two hours the Civic Theatre rocked with the fantastic dancing (Camille A. Brown), a very versatile cast, highlighted with amazing New York skylines and awesome lighting showing different floors of the hotel where most of the action takes place (Robert Brill and Natasha Katz)
It’s obvious that Ali has the talent and drive to get someplace even with the many drawbacks; breaking up with her boyfriend, struggles and tension with her mother and disappointment in her father. She bounces back (“Girl on Fire”, “No One”, “Empire State Of Mind”), and brings the house down with her most well -known numbers and no one in the audience seemed to care if there was too much information packed into this long awaited show. Even as such, the dynamism overwhelmed even the most cynical of us.
While the sound in the Civic Theatre is less than acceptable, the sound mix was terrible and these ears were frustrated most of the evening. (Gareth Owen). Peter Nigrini is credited for the excellent projections and Adam Blackstone is credited for Musical supervision.
Key’s has won 17 Grammy Awards since 2002 including one last year “Hell’s Kitchen” for Best Musical Theatre Album, so no slouch here.
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| Cast with Maya Drake |
For over two hours the Civic Theatre rocked with the fantastic dancing (Camille A. Brown), a very versatile cast, highlighted with amazing New York skylines and awesome lighting showing different floors of the hotel where most of the action takes place (Robert Brill and Natasha Katz)
With direction by Michael Greif and seventeen year old Maya Drake as Ali (Keys) this juke -box musical rolls out her story showing the conflict between her overly protective mother, (Kennedy Caughell who has some set of chops) her absent father (with a smooth voice, Desmond Sean Ellington) her house painter boyfriend Knuck (JonAvery Worrell) and Miss Eliza Jane (Roz White) who teaches Ali to play the piano in the Ellington Room of the Hotel. (“Perfect Way To Die” and “Your Story to Tell”)
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| Maya Drake |
It’s obvious that Ali has the talent and drive to get someplace even with the many drawbacks; breaking up with her boyfriend, struggles and tension with her mother and disappointment in her father. She bounces back (“Girl on Fire”, “No One”, “Empire State Of Mind”), and brings the house down with her most well -known numbers and no one in the audience seemed to care if there was too much information packed into this long awaited show. Even as such, the dynamism overwhelmed even the most cynical of us.
 |
| Maya Drake and JonAvery Worrell |
While the sound in the Civic Theatre is less than acceptable, the sound mix was terrible and these ears were frustrated most of the evening. (Gareth Owen). Peter Nigrini is credited for the excellent projections and Adam Blackstone is credited for Musical supervision.
 |
| Maya Drake and Roz White |
Key’s has won 17 Grammy Awards since 2002 including one last year “Hell’s Kitchen” for Best Musical Theatre Album, so no slouch here.
There is still time to catch it.
Again, you will be struck by the dancing.
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 11 and 12; 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13; 8 p.m. Aug. 14; 2 and 8 p. Aug. 15; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16
Where: San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown
Photo: Marc J Franklin
Tickets: $68 and up
Online: ticketmaster.com
