Broadway’s Hell’s Kitchen is entering a new chapter with two Grammy-winning artists stepping into key roles. Ne-Yo will make his Broadway debut as Davis beginning December 4, and gospel icon Yolanda Adams will make her Broadway performing debut as Miss Liza Jane starting December 16.
The Alicia Keys–penned musical continues its run at the Shubert Theatre, where it opened in April 2024 and has since earned 13 Tony nominations, including wins for Maleah Joi Moon and Kecia Lewis, along with a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Featuring music and lyrics by Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz, Hell’s Kitchen follows 17-year-old Ali as she navigates growing up near Times Square, searching for her voice, her independence, and her path forward as her estranged father reenters her life.
Ne-Yo will replace Durrell “Tank” Babbs, who plays his final performance November 30. The three-time Grammy Award winner is widely known for hits such as “Miss Independent,” “Because of You,” and “Let Me Love You,” and previously appeared as the Tin Man in NBC’s The Wiz Live! This marks his first time performing on Broadway.
Kecia Lewis will take her final bow as Miss Liza Jane on December 13 after an acclaimed, award-winning run. Adams begins performances December 16 through January 25, bringing her celebrated gospel career to the role. A Tony nominee as a songwriter for SpongeBob SquarePants, she now makes her Broadway performing debut with the production. Adams is a four-time Grammy winner and has been honored with multiple NAACP Image Awards and BET Awards.
The production is also undergoing several additional cast transitions.
- Amanda Reid continues as Ali.
- Jessica Vosk (Jersey) and Phillip Johnson Richardson (Knuck) depart November 30.
- Vosk will be succeeded by Kelsee Kimmel through January 11.
- Richardson will be succeeded by Lamont Walker II.
- Before Ne-Yo takes over, Babbs briefly returns to the production from November 18–30.
The creative team includes director Michael Greif, choreographer Camille A. Brown, scenic designer Robert Brill, costume designer Dede Ayite, lighting designer Natasha Katz, and sound designer Gareth Owen.