Grammy- and Emmy鈥搘inning Broadway favorite Christopher Jackson has set a Broadway return in Hell's Kitchen, succeeding Durrell 鈥淭ank鈥� Babbs as Davis beginning June 3. Tank will play his final performance in the Alicia Keys musical June 1 at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway.
The performance will be Jackson's first full Broadway run since creating the role of George Washington in the original company of Hamilton in 2015. He has since made cameo appearances in both Broadway runs of Freestyle Love Supreme.
Jackson is the latest of several major casting changes for the 2024 Tony-nominated musical. Amanda Reid succeeded Tony-winning original star Maleah Joi Moon as Ali May 27, and the cast also recently welcomed Jessica Vosk as Jersey, following original star Shoshana Bean.
Hell's Kitchen features music and lyrics by Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz. Inspired by the 15-time Grammy winner's life, the story centers on 17-year-old Ali and her mother, sharing a cramped apartment near Times Square. Ali wants to live out her NYC dream, but Mom is scared her daughter will repeat her own mistakes. Ali is further confused when her estranged father鈥擠avis, who is a musician鈥攃omes back into her life.
The show opened at the Shubert Theatre April 20, 2024, after beginning previews March 28鈥攔ead the reviews here. Michael Greif directs the work, which features choreography by Camille A. Brown.
The current cast also stars Phillip Johnson Richardson (The Wiz) as Knuck, and Tony-winning Broadway veteran Kecia Lewis (Ain't Misbehavin') as Miss Liza Jane, along with Angela Birchett, Chad Carstarphen, Reid Clarke, Chloe Davis, Nico DeJesus, Timothy L. Edwards, Desmond Sean Ellington, Badia Farha, Vanessa Ferguson, Gianna Harris, Jakeim Hart, Takia Hopson, Gabriel Hyman, Lindsey Jolyn Jackson, Eliazar Jimenez, Kelsee Kimmel, Jackie Leon, Raechelle Manalo, Jade Milan, Onyxx Noel, Susan Oliveras, Sarah Parker, Eric Parra, Aaron Nicholas Patterson, Amanda Reid, William Roberson, Niki Saludez, Nyseli Vega, Lamont Walker II, and Oscar Whitney Jr. Casting is by Heidi Griffiths and Kate Murray.
READ: Brandon Victor Dixon Reflects on His Time in Hell's Kitchen
The music team includes music director Lily Ling and orchestrators Adam Blackstone and Tom Kitt with arrangements by Keys and Blackstone. The creative team also includes scenic designer Robert Brill, costume designer Dede Ayite, lighting designer Natasha Katz, sound designer Gareth Owen, projection designer Peter Nigrini, hair and wig designer Mia Neal, and makeup designer Michael Clifton. Foresight Theatrical is general manager, and Danny Maly serves as production stage manager.
The Broadway production was nominated for 13 2024 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It won Tonys for Moon and Lewis' performances, and also took home the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
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Phillip Johnson Richardson and Maleah Joi Moon in Hell's Kitchen
Kecia Lewis and Maleah Joi Moon in Hell's Kitchen
Maleah Joi Moon in Hell's Kitchen
Jessica Vosk in Hell's Kitchen
Lamont Walker II, Phillip Johnson Richardson, and Jakeim Hart in Hell's Kitchen
Kecia Lewis in Hell's Kitchen
Jessica Vosk and Maleah Joi Moon in Hell's Kitchen
