Girl on Fire

Hell’s Kitchen

We are always in the process of becoming the best version of ourselves. Stories, such as the beautiful HELL’S KITCHEN, remind us that we’re never really finished with our own Coming-of-Age journey. With a beguiling book by playwright Kristoffer Diaz (Pulitzer Prize finalist for THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DIETY), and an enthralling pop/hip-hop score by singer and songwriter Alicia Keys (a seventeen-time Grammy Award recipient), this TonyAward-winning musical has finally made its way to Chicago. A tender, sometimes heartbreaking and highly exhilarating show about a young woman’s transition from childhood to adult, the story’s loosely based on Alicia Keys’ life. With some fictional enhancement, we watch Ali, a young, evolving musician, overcome the many challenges of growing up. By the end of the story, Ali has transitioned from rebellious teenager to wise and talented young adult—a Girl on Fire.

Living in Manhattan Plaza, a federally subsidized high-rise housing unit in the New York Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, it’s home for hundreds of struggling Big Apple artists. Ali finds herself constantly at odds with Jersey, her overly-protective and hardworking single mother. Rebelling against everything Jersey says, the teenager seeks love and nurturing elsewhere. She strikes up a relationship with a handsome street performer named Knuck. But it’s through a chance encounter with Miss Liza Jane, one of the building’s oldest residents and a talented pianist, that the seventeen-year-old develops her artistry and crafts her unique identity. Meeting each day in the building’s Ellington Room, the elderly woman becomes Ali’s strict musical mentor. Along the way, a surrogate parental relationship evolves. While learning to play the piano, Miss Liza Jane helps Ali navigate her way through significant emotional, psychological and social demands. Ali learns to respect those with knowledge to share, how to take on more adult responsibilities and to grow into a responsible and mature young woman.

This musical pulses with energy and raw emotion. Best of all, it stars Maya Drake, a most miraculously gifted and totally captivating young triple-threat, making her professional debut in this demanding role. Just out of high school, Maya has a bright smile that lights up the entire theatre. She also possesses a powerhouse voice and a true talent for hip-hop dance. Filled with fire and fortitude, Ms. Drake, who almost never leaves the stage, is a dramatic dynamo. If this performance is any indication, I predict that Maya Drake has a fantastic future ahead of her in theatre.

The production also boasts a large company of exceptional talent, especially its women. As Jersey, Kennedy Caughell (leading roles in the National Tours of BEAUTIFUL, WICKED and PARADISE SQUARE) creates a very realistic and honest single young mother. Ms. Caughell’s performance is both valiant and heartbreaking as she tries hard to protect and raise her teenage daughter in New York City. And not only is Kennedy a beautiful actress, she has a phenomenal voice that easily soars up to the balcony.

Kristoffer Diaz has written another lovely character who is the very heart and soul of this musical. Miss Liza Jane is portrayed by the gifted actress, Roz White, a forty year veteran as an arts professional and educator. It’s this quality that especially shines through her performance. Ms. White’s resume proudly lists many achievements, such as singing with Stevie Wonder and touring in the musicals TINA and DREAMGIRLS. As Miss Liza Jane, Roz White creates a brutally honest, multilayered matriarch, a woman who enjoys teaching and is proud of the many talented African-American artists who have paved the way for other Black musicians. Miss Liza Jane proves she’s a gifted pianist and a no-nonsense educator and disciplinarian. While dealing with her own personal health issues, Miss Liza Jane’s work with Ali brings out her empathy and love for the youngster. It provides the most inspiring and heartfelt storyline in the show.

Other noteworthy actors in this production include charismatic and talented vocalist, Desmond Sean Ellington (the original cast of HAMILTON) as Davis, Ali’s father and Jersey’s estranged husband. Handsome JonAvery Worrell is excellent as Knuck, the reserved, hunky young street musician and apartment painter who attracts Ali’s attention. The sincerity and truthfulness he exudes in his portrayal of this character gives Knuck much more dimension and realism than I’ve seen in this role. In addition to every member of the show’s talented singing/dancing ensemble—featuring inventive and gravity-defying choreography by Camille A. Brown—two actresses stand out as Ali’s friends.

 Beda Spindola is a true comic talent and a powerful vocalist/dancer, as Millie; and Chicago’s own brilliant Rashada Dawan is soulful and sensational as Crystal. Audiences may remember Ms. Dawan at Black Ensemble Theatre as Gladys Knight in DYNAMITE DIVAS, in the titular role of Firebrand’s CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, and as Gloria the hilarious Hippo in Marriott’s MADAGASCAR, among many other shows.

The National Tour is once again Directed with his typical vim, vigor and vitality by Broadway’s Tony-nominated Michael Greif (HELL’S KITCHEN; DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES; THE NOTEBOOK). The show features superb Musical Supervision by Adam Blackstone and is Musically Directed/Conducted by talented Emily Orr. The production features Robert Brill’s industrial-influenced Broadway Scenic Design, accented by an electrifying Lighting Design by Natasha Katz and moving Projections Designed by Peter Nigrini. Dede Ayite’s Costumes are both colorful, realistic and appropriately bespeak New York City in the 90’s, as do Mia Neal’s superb Hair & Wig Designs.  

Fans of Alicia Keys’ recordings will enjoy hearing “Fallin’,” “Girl on Fire,” “You Don’t Know My Name,” “Teenage Love Affair,” “No One” and “Empire State of Mind,” among many others. The musical also includes several new songs, which Ms. Keys wrote especially for the musical, such as “Seventeen,” “The River,” and “Kaleidoscope.”

This exciting National Tour of HELL’S KITCHEN arrives in Chicago for three wonderful weeks, leading up to Thanksgiving. Looking and sounding very much like the original, that’s still playing on Broadway, theatergoers who enjoy musicals with a modern look and sound, who enjoy a biographical story and are fans of Alicia Keys will love this show. With a star-turning performance by the incredible young Maya Drake, this is a production that can truly boast A Girl on Fire.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented November 11-30 by Broadway in Chicago at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph, Chicago.

Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, the BIC Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com