I’m a Theater Dork & This Broadway Musical Wasn’t Even on My Radar Until Last Night’s Show-Stopping Tony’s Performance

As a theater reviewer and a self-proclaimed drama dork (or nerd if you prefer), I’ve seen a lot of Broadway shows. I spent my college years at NYU studying theater by day and seeing shows by night. I spent the next 20 years as a New Yorker standing in line for rush tickets, before eventually becoming a theater and entertainment reviewer and editor. So naturally, I couldn’t miss last night’s Tony Awards (for reasons beyond simply the fabulous fashion).

There were plenty of highs during the ceremony, such as Daniel Radcliffe’s emotional acceptance speech and The Outsiders taking the trophy for Best Musical. There were also some lows, like every performer reading their acceptance speech directly and awkwardly from a piece of paper or their phone (which I recommend at a wedding but not during a telecast).

But my favorite parts are always the live performances from the various offerings of the season. We got gorgeous numbers from many of my favorite new musicals, including Illinoise and Water for Elephants. However, one number in particular caught my eye in a big way—and the musical wasn’t even really on my radar.

The show is directed by Tony winner Michael Greif (which is why I was far from surprised to see scaffolding used for his set—see: Rent, Next to Normal, the list goes on). And as I mentioned, the story is inspired by Keys’s experiences growing up in New York City.

Hell’s Kitchen’s description reads, “Rebellious and stifled by an overprotective single mother, Ali is lost until she meets her mentor: a neighbor who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano. Set to the rhythm of the 90s, Hell’s Kitchen is a love story between a mother and daughter. It's about finding yourself, your purpose, and the community that lifts you. Come remember where dreams begin.”