You know, I’m generally late in the game when I comment or offer a review. I had previously reviewed Taj Mahal’s 2024 Swingin' Live at the Church in Tulsa, which was awarded the 2025 Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album. So here I am bringing to you another Grammy-awarded album.

So here’s the offering as I reacted to a news item that brought my attention to the Alicia Keys-produced Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen, which is coming to a close. Its performances are captured in the 2025 Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album, Hell’s Kitchen.

One year ago, in January 2025, I had the pleasure of attending Hell’s Kitchen, this wonderfully presented musical (13 Tonys as I understand it), featuring the music and lyrics of 16-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys. The original Broadway cast musical performances are found in a two-CD set, highlighting Keys’ very memorable hits, including "Fallin'," “No One,” "If I Ain't Got You," and of course, “Empire State of Mind”.

As usual, I was dragged to this performance a year ago. But I thoroughly enjoyed the show, the music, and its attitude. The story centers around Ali, a young mixed-race teenager in Hell’s Kitchen growing up, living with her struggling, protective single mother. Ali is called and drawn by the romance of the streets, where one finds the music and talk of the people. In the course of this Hell’s Kitchen story, Ali discovers life, love, and loss, and through the intervention of a sage piano teacher, Ali actualizes her life with artistic purpose. (The story may sound familiar, but the musical performances fulfill expectations.)

Principal vocalists found on the album are Shoshana Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon, Kecia Lewis, and young Broadway newbie Maleah Joi Moon, who plays Ali (the avatar for Alicia Keys). There are assertions by the media that the show may be “loosely based” on Keys’ life. I don’t doubt it. It's a heartwarming story of a young woman from the ‘hood overcoming self-doubt and adversity, and it's got some inspiring music.

The production is scheduled to play its final performance on Sunday, February 22, 2026. As I said above, I attended the show one year ago this month. So if you can’t make it to Broadway, wait for the tour show, or just go get the Grammy-winning album of Hell’s Kitchen.

Postscript. Please be forewarned that one may encounter some questionable utterings!