‘It’s a community story’: Cast and creatives reflect on the impact of Alicia Keys’ ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ during its Toronto debut

Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen arrived in Toronto for its Canadian premiere at Mirvish Theatres, and the cast shared what it means to see the show’s soul and Keys’ music connect with new audiences on stage.

The hit musical Hell’s Kitchen follows a story inspired by the life, music and community around the 17-time Grammy Award-winning artist Alicia Keys.

The story centres around Ali, a 17-year-old girl full of fire, searching for her voice, passion and freedom.

Throughout her journey, she meets a musical mentor who changes her life, her family’s dynamic and helps her grow.

‘I also am growing up with her’: Maya Drake shares what playing Ali means to her

Maya Drake was just 17 when she auditioned for the role, and shared that the age difference makes her feel closer to the character.

“The show has been in my life for almost three years now, so I feel that very much like, what do I want to do with my future?… It’s super cool to be so young and feel so connected as I also am growing up with her,” Drake told Now Toronto.

Drake shared that she is honoured to end her run with the show in Toronto. For her, having the opportunity to portray a musician who has had such an impact on her life is life-changing.

“Thank you so much for everything; you have changed my life. Your generosity and your kindness mean so much to me, and I’m grateful to be a part of this show and spread it across the country,” she said.

‘For parents to see themselves and to be seen, known, and loved through this’: Kennedy Caughell on portraying Alicia Keys’ mom

The play might follow Alicia Keys’ journey, but in her search for herself, Keys found her mother played a big role.

So, Kennedy Caughell took on the role of Jersey, Alicia Keys’ mom—and Caughell shares how important she believes the role is.

“It’s a heavy mantle to be playing the role based upon the mother of Alicia Keys because she is such a pantheon, and I really do feel a sense of heavy responsibility for parents to see themselves and to be seen, known, and loved through this,” Caughell told Now Toronto.

With the play so heavily rooted in a mother-daughter relationship, Caughell shares what advice she would give Ali.

“Be careful, but don’t be afraid. We do need to move through the world with wisdom, but that doesn’t mean moving through the world with fear,” she said.

Caughell believes Toronto will connect with the play during this Canadian premiere.

“I think that Toronto audiences will connect with everything. Really, the  music is soulful. The dancing is energetic, and the story. So you come for the music, but you stay for the story,” she said.

“Everyone that I see at the stage door is always like, ‘Wow, I was crying the whole time. I was laughing the whole time.’ So, you’re really going to experience the gamut of emotion,” Caughell added.

‘It’s a community story’: Roz White on portraying musical mentor Miss Liza Jane

Tony Award-winning actress Roz White plays Miss Liza Jane, Ali’s musical mentor who shaped Ali’s growth and musical journey.

White hopes this story recognizes the community.

“I think that everyone can connect with this story. It’s a mother-daughter, mentor-student, father-daughter, friends-in-the-neighbourhood story. It’s a community story,” White told Now Toronto.

Even though White plays the mentor, she says she recognizes and has learned how to find her voice similarly to Keys.

“I found out that my voice is one of leadership and is also one of healing and comfort. So as I’ve grown, I’ve learned to mesh the two together, and to try to bring people together with the gifts that I’ve been blessed with,” she said.

Despite winning a Tony Award, travelling to Toronto was a dream for her.

“It’s wonderful to be able to cross over into other territories with your art, and I’ve dreamed of it since I was a little girl. To bring a new piece and to be the first North American tour of this piece, it means everything to me,” White said.

‘‘My Boo’ got me a girlfriend when I was 16’: Jonavery Worrell says Alicia Keys brings love

Actor Jonavery Worrell, who plays the role of the love interest Knuck, is right on cue with love: Alicia Keys’ song “My Boo” has apparently gotten him a girlfriend.

“I was singing in the car, late-night drive, singing Alicia’s [song.] [The girl] was like, ‘Oh my God, you noticed?’ I was like, ‘You’re a girl, I noticed.’ She was like, ‘Oh my God, sing the song,’ and I was like, ‘’Oh my God, I could do that,’” Worrell told Now Toronto.

But on a serious note, Worrell says that bringing the play to Toronto means so much to him, and that this is his first time outside the United States.

“To be able to bring our incredible show to somewhere I’ve never been, it’s as cliché as it sounds, a life-changing experience,” he said. “It’s a whole other culture, a whole new audience, a whole new experience. So I think to be able to bridge the two worlds has been a really cool thing.”

‘It’s so powerful’: Mirvish Productions’ producer tells all

Mirvish Productions’ producer Hannah Mirvish says that bringing such a powerful story to Toronto is phenomenal.

“It’s such an amazing story about resilience and coming-of-age in all kinds of different moments, and then also as a mom, there are such great mom moments in it. So to be able to tell this story on this stage is phenomenal, and it’s so powerful,” Mirvish told Now Toronto.

She believes Toronto has endless opportunities to relate to the New York play, especially with the strong acting and singing in the show.

“For me, the moment that the teacher sings that song is just so powerful. When I saw it on Broadway, I knew she was going to win the Tony [Award], and I never say that,” Mirvish shared.

Check Mirvish’s website for showtimes.