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Black Art Speaks

Black Art Speaks, the creative force behind Cincinnati鈥檚 renowned Black Lives Matter (BLM) mural, unveiled the 鈥淩鈥澛爈etter聽from the Letter Monuments Project in vibrant Roselawn on May 2, marking the launch of a citywide art initiative that celebrates diversity and community empowerment.

This聽striking new public artwork at the southwest corner of Reading and Section roads by nationally acclaimed artist and聽Roselawn Community Council President聽Annie Ruth stands 10 feet tall as a bold testament to Roselawn鈥檚 resilience and a reflection of its progressive identity.聽聽

Inspired by her original artwork for the Black Lives Matter mural, Annie Ruth has re-imagined the portrayal of Black men in her design for the 鈥淩鈥� sculpture. Through her art, Ruth shifts the narrative from misunderstood stereotypes to images of dignity and respect, depicting Black men as dignified gentlemen.聽聽聽聽聽聽

Ruth said,聽鈥淲e want others to see the males in our lives as gentlemen with kind hearts and not as thugs and criminals. 鈥業 am a Man鈥� is a prominent theme in the art. The piece highlights the words as a history lesson, emphasizing the importance of reading. The imagery in the design encourages the viewer to see Black men with love, respect and dignity. The father reads a book to his children with a message of 鈥楰now who you are鈥� to remind Black youth to recognize their value and self-worth.

鈥淭he newly designed R continues the theme of promoting Black men as leaders, fathers, mentors, brothers and sons. The circles within the circles on the youthful Black silhouette is an Adinkra symbol 鈥�

Adinkra are visual symbols that represent concepts or proverbs. They originated from Ghana. Saturated with meaning, Adinkra serve as a concise way to convey deep truths in visual form. Their widespread adoption, especially among African Americans and other Africans across the diaspora, has solidified their status as icons of African symbolism and philosophy.鈥欌��

(ADINKRAHENE 鈥� (pronounced A-dink-ra + hen-e)聽is the chief of the adinkra symbols) This is a symbol of greatness, charisma and leadership.)聽

This transformation embodies the city鈥檚 ongoing commitment to justice and equality.

The 鈥淩鈥� sculpture is the first of 17聽letters聽that will be strategically placed throughout Cincinnati, with the letter 鈥淎鈥� being erected in Avondale next.聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽

Each聽letter聽is inspired by a line from the poem 鈥淲e Want What You Want鈥� by Alandes Powell, helping to weave the city鈥檚 rich narrative throughout its urban landscape. Powell is Executive Director of Black Art Speaks, which was involved in the Black Lives Matter street mural in front of the Cincinnati City Hall and this art project.

鈥淭he unveiling of the 鈥楻鈥� is a cornerstone event that welcomes all to engage and reflect on the significant contributions of Black artists to Cincinnati’s cultural landscape. It鈥檚 a celebration of how art fosters community ties, challenges the status quo, and makes a lasting impact on societal perceptions,鈥� said Ruth.

Speakers at the event were Alandes Powell, Executive Director, Black Art Speaks; Annie Ruth, Lead Artist; Jan-Michele Kearney, Vice Mayor of Cincinnati; Jonathan Adee, Executive Director, Keep America Beautiful.

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By Bill Thompson

The name Ravi Coltrane will grab the attention of music fans whether they are familiar with his music or not.

The son of jazz legends John and Alice Coltrane, who was named after their friend, Indian sitar master Ravi Shankar, stands on his own talent in the jazz world while embracing his heritage. He leads the effort to restore the John Coltrane Home in Dix Hills, New Jersey, and presides over reissues of his parents鈥� recordings.

The saxophonist visits Cincinnati June 2 as part of the Longworth-Anderson Series at Memorial Hall with keyboard player Gadi Lehavi, drummer Ele Howell and special guest Robin Eubanks on trombone.

Coltrane was born in New York, but moved to Los Angeles with his mother and brother after his father鈥檚 death when he was less than 2 years old. He played clarinet before switching to saxophone, the instrument that made his father famous. He has played with such luminaries as Elvin Jones, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Herbie Hancock and Branford Marsalis.

After playing on more than 30 albums for other folks, he released his debut, 鈥淢oving Pictures,鈥� in 1998. He has made five more albums including his latest, 鈥淪pirit Fiction,鈥� in 2012. He continues to collaborate with a number of high-profile musicians and travel the world playing concerts.

In March, he played four nights in San Francisco as Resident Artistic Director of SFJAZZ. The first night included sets with his trio and a quartet that included bass player Dezron Douglas, pianist David Virelles and drummer Johnathan Blake, who Coltrane has toured with for more than a decade. The second night was a tribute to sax giant Pharoah Sanders that included Tomoki Sanders, his son, and Joe Lovano. The final two evenings, 鈥淐osmic Music,鈥� featured compositions by his mother and father.

Longworth-Anderson Series presents Ravi Coltrane, Sunday, 6:30 p.m. June 2, Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm Street, Over-the-Rhine, 45202. Tickets: $36.50-$66.50. Information: ; ; 513-977-8838.

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鈥淭he Swans of Harlem鈥� by Karen Valby unveils the forgotten legacy of five Black ballerinas who made history with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Marcia Sells, a Cincinnati native who was among them, now serves as the Metropolitan Opera’s chief diversity officer. The book is a captivating journey of sisterhood, resilience, and the enduring power of Black ballet. It tells the forgotten story of a pioneering group of five Black ballerinas and their fifty-year sisterhood, a legacy erased from history 鈥� until now. 

Marcia Sells returned to her hometown on May 10 to discuss and sign 鈥淭he Swans of Harlem鈥� at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Norwood.

At the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Lydia Abarca was a Black prima ballerina with a major international dance company 鈥� the Dance Theatre of Harlem, a troupe of women and men who became each other鈥檚 chosen family. She performed in some of ballet鈥檚 most iconic works with other trailblazing ballerinas, including the young women who became her closest friends 鈥� founding Dance Theatre of Harlem members Gayle McKinney-Griffith and Sheila Rohan, as well as first-generation dancers Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells, the youngest of the group.

These Swans of Harlem performed for the Queen of England, Mick Jagger, and Stevie Wonder, on the same bill as Josephine Baker, at the White House and beyond.

Marcia Lynn Sells began her life in the arts as a ballerina at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and, before that, in the Cincinnati Ballet. In 2021, she became the first Chief Diversity Officer for the Metropolitan Opera. Previously, she held positions in the private and public sectors, including Reuters America, the National Basketball Association, Columbia University School of Law, Harvard Law School, and the Brooklyn District Attorney鈥檚 Office.

She is the daughter of the late Mamie Earl Sells, a popular Cincinnati 欧美AV columnist, and Charles Sells, the Executive Director of Seven Hills Neighborhood House.

Sells said, 鈥淭his book came about when Karlya, Gayle, Lydia, Sheila, and I started talking with each other during COVID to connect. We felt it was essential to come together and make sure we shared how we were doing in our lives after DTH and our memories of our time in DTH. We realized these stories had not been heard, and many did not know about DTH’s Black ballerinas and dancers, all before Misty Copeland was even born.

鈥淚t was beautiful for me to see Dance Theatre of Harlem right here in Cincinnati when they first went on tour. DTH appeared at the Corbett Theater, and seeing Black dancers on stage when I was the only Black girl in the College-Conservatory of Music preparatory program was inspiring. I then knew I could become a professional ballet dancer. I was so glad that my parents, Mamie and Charles Sells, invited Arthur Mitchell, who founded a training school and the first African American classical ballet company, , and Lorenzo James, who worked with DTH, to come back to our house for dinner at 134 Mary Lane. It was there that Arthur Mitchell told my parents I had talent. It helped carry me through my years in Cincinnati Ballet, where I became a company member, before leaving to join DTH in NYC.  

She said the directors advised her on what she needed to do to succeed, and the dancers supported each other.

鈥淚 think about all of this now as I come back to promote the book and even to celebrate Cincinnati Ballet鈥檚 60th Anniversary on May 9, that it was that chance to see Dance Theatre of Harlem on the stage in Cincinnati that led me to this moment with the fantastic Black ballerinas, my fellow Swans of DTH. 

鈥淒ance Theatre of Harlem also was part of a major fundraiser for Seven Hills Neighborhood House in 1971 and then performed at Music Hall for sold-out performances. This was when my dad was the Executive Director for Seven Hills.鈥�

Sells said she was raised in a home聽that was 鈥渋nfused with a sense of culture and the arts, including ballet.鈥� She added, 鈥淚 loved the ballet.鈥�

At age 4, her mother placed her in Dance Cincinnati, where she was the only Black dancer. 鈥淭his was a place,鈥� she said, 鈥渨here they said, 鈥榊ou can do this.鈥欌��

She had classes three days a week but was advised that to become serious about ballet; she would have to expand her classes to five or six days per week, which she did. She added that she was impressed that Cincinnati Dance had taken on a Black child and was serious about working with her.

She said that her mother never pressured her to continue her involvement with Cincinnati Ballet. Each year, her mother would ask her if she wanted to enroll again in ballet classes for the year, she explained.

James Truitt, of Cincinnati Ballet and an associate professor at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, allowed her to join the Black Ballet in Harlem at a time when Black ballet was proving itself. However, reviews of their work reported, 鈥淢y God! They are good!鈥� she explained.

Living with family and friends in Brooklyn, she continued developing her skills in New York and traveled with the Dance Theater of Harlem.

Eventually, after gaining a little weight, which she would have to lose to continue dancing, Sells became concerned about something happening to her body due to the strenuous exercises and moves that ballet requires and decided to move on to other fields.

She graduated from Law School at Columbia University in New York. She became a lawyer with the Legal Aid Division of the New York District Attorney鈥檚 Office, handling domestic violence and sex crime cases. Her varied employment is discussed above, and she is now Chief Diversity Officer for the Metropolitan Opera, where she reaches out to diverse groups to interest younger people in the opera. She notes the average age of operagoers has fallen considerably in recent years, from age 65 to age 43.      Sells praised Cincinnati for what she called 鈥淭he Cincinnati Factor,鈥� which she described as the community鈥檚 civic engagements and investments in its cultural venues.

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叠测:听

MASON, Ohio 鈥� Camp Snoopy is almost ready for its Beagle Scouts!

Kings Island’s new kids’ area will open along with its new roller coaster on Friday, May 24 鈥� right on time for Memorial Day weekend.

Kids can hang out with their favorite Peanuts characters and get the opportunity to become official Beagle Scouts. They’ll also get to experience聽, a family coaster that lifts riders up a 70-foot hill before racing them up a spike at 36 miles per hour, where they will then return backward to the station.

After enjoying the ride, families can enjoy a bite at Pigpen’s Mess Hall or enjoy some camp fun in the nature-themed play area.

That weekend is also opening weekend for Soak City Water Park, which will be open daily through Aug. 18 and on weekends from Aug. 23 to Sept. 2.

Kings Island is also debuting its new nighttime fireworks and drone show, which runs through Sept. 1, on May 24. Active and retired military members will receive free admission May 24-27 for Memorial Day weekend. Their friends and family can also receive discounted tickets.

For those who want to visit the park later this summer, Kings Island also announced a brand new food and wine festival for the month of June. Guests can enjoy a variety of red and white wines, charcuteries, cheeses and treats every Friday, Saturday and Sunday June 7-30. Find out more details聽.

Reposted with permission from WCPO 9 Cincinnati.

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(**) 

It鈥檚 hard to fathom who鈥檒l go ape over this action/sci-fi/drama. Maybe those who don鈥檛 know better and slept through the previous Planet of the Apes trilogy. 

The bar was set very high back in 2011, after Rise of the Planet of the Apes became the grandchild of the original 1968 cult classic film. In that $481M blockbuster hit, James Franco played a sensitive chemist and Andy Serkis starred as Caesar, a chimpanzee with humanlike intelligence and emotions. Those traits were due to an experimental, human-made simian virus the chemist created as he searched for an Alzheimer鈥檚 cure. Rise 鈥� earned an Oscar norm for Best Achievement in Special Effects for its uncanny depiction of the Hominidae species (apes, gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans). Dawn of the Planet of the Apes in 2014 and War for the Planet of the Apes in 2017 received the same acclaim and even more box office success. The trio had majesty, strong visuals and characters with depth. Dazzling action scenes, compelling performances and innovation. Enough evocative power to leave audiences with a haunting feeling.

An astounding vision, profound writing and originality are missing in this pretender. It鈥檚 a shallow knockoff that can鈥檛 carry the weight of the legacy it inherited. Screenwriter Josh Freidman has penned a script that鈥檚 derivative at best. Too much of the beginning is spent establishing who鈥檚 who, yet telling the major clan characters apart is tough. Same coloring, body weight, height, looks, culture 鈥� A smart script would have made one thin, one plump, one short, one tall. Anything in the species鈥� physical realm that could help audiences distinguish them.

Somewhere in the far future, there鈥檚 a no man鈥檚 land wilderness thick with forests and streams. That鈥檚 where the Eagle Clan, a colony of chimpanzees, has settled. Noa (Owen Teague) is the son of the chief. He and the others hold eagles dear and raise them to be hunters. The village is being watched by a wild child. A human, aka an 鈥渆cho,鈥� who lurks in the shadows. Her name is Mae (Freya Allan, The Witcher). Word is, 鈥淓choes only bring trouble.鈥� Meanwhile a hostile group, run by the gorilla king Proximus (Kevin Durand), threatens everyone. A wise orangutans Raka (Peter Macon, TV鈥檚 The Orville), who believes in the holiness of the legendary Caesar, shields himself from those aggressors.聽聽

It’s all a big gamble that doesn鈥檛 pan out, well. The woodland settings look generic 鈥� and CGI assisted. In the trilogy, the buildings and humans in San Francisco and its Bay Area left haunting memories of civilization gone awry. Now there鈥檚 nothing but furry beings, nature and adversaries. The onus is on Noa, his chums, family, mentor and the interloper to intrigue the audience. To pull viewers into the time, place and drama. As written and directed, it鈥檚 a task they can鈥檛 handle alone. They drop the torch they were given.

What鈥檚 on the screen is dull Hollywood mechanizations. Dull as the recent Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire. None of the imagery is truly mind boggling. The sets, production design (Daniel T. Dorrance), costumes (Mayes C Rubeo) and art direction are passable. Cinematographer Gyula Pados doesn鈥檛 do a bad job capturing what鈥檚 on view. It鈥檚 more that the action scenes he films, interiors he lights and landscapes he shoots don鈥檛 look extraordinary or spectacular.聽

Wes Ball鈥檚 tame direction is a mismatch. Past work, even on the successful The Maze Runner series, hasn鈥檛 primed his filmmaking well enough for this franchise treasure. Noa and others ride horses, do battle, climb mountains and scale walls. None of it is extremely accomplished or an out-of-this world thrill ride. The direction doesn鈥檛 dazzle (James Cameron, Avatar), show pageantry (Peter Jackson, Lord of the Rings), create a frenzy (Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer) or paint a stunning picture (Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Two). The kind of verve that could juice up the movie for its entire 2h 25 m length (editors Dirk Westervelt and Dan Zimmerman). Even though the finale is more engaging than what came before it, it鈥檚 still under par. Marred by herds of fake looking apes. It鈥檚 an opportunity that never fulfills its chance for greatness.

Durran growls his lines ferociously. Teague sounds innocent enough as circumstances force Noa to grow up quickly. This very important lead character needed an edge. Something that made him more unique than any other protagonist that came before him. He鈥檚 a bland hero. The sageness in Rake鈥檚 voice is due to the shaman-like persona Macon creates. The odd person out, is Allan. Mae is supposed to be a scruff living in the forest. When she鈥檚 thrown a rag so she can cloth herself, presto she鈥檚 wearing a perfectly torn tank top that looks like it was bought in H & . Why? She fit her part on Netflix鈥檚 The Witcher like a glove. But here she looks out of place. Like a super model who came in from the rain.聽聽

Fans of the previous three movies, who鈥檝e been spoiled by their allure, may not be appalled by what they see in Kingdom 鈥� But they won鈥檛 be astounded. They won鈥檛 go ape over it.

Visit Film Critic Dwight Brown at聽.

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The first restaurant I dined in when I moved to Cincinnati was Seasons 52 at 3819 Edwards Rd.

I have been dinning there regularly ever since.

The food, service, wine, cleanliness, and value are the reasons I eat there.

Their patio will be open soon for guests to dine and experience the great outdoors. I like the area inside near the patio with lots of natural light. The bar has plenty of seats and there are large comfortable booths for groups.

Happy hour is Monday-Thursday from 3-6pm at Seasons 52. Everyday day of the week they offer flights of wine, this is an excellent value, as you receive 3 wines for one price. A great opportunity to try new wines and enjoy your favorites.

The menu has cocktails, beer, flights of wine, full bottles of wine, whiskey, delicious fruity sangria, and designer bottles of water.

My favorite wine on the wine list is a higher tier malbec from Argentina, I also like the 鈥減each riesling mule鈥� served in a copper mug, and the many different wine flights they offer. There is also a fantastic selection of ros茅 wine by the glass or bottle great for summer fun.

My favorite dishes are the lobster bisque with its creamy texture. Grilled artichokes with preserved lemon hummus and brick oven bread.

Pesto chicken flatbread with generous amounts of shredded mozzarella cheese.

I love the whole boneless rainbow trout entree served with cute marble potatoes and broccoli. However, I have never liked broccoli’s taste or texture and I substitute it for silky saut茅ed fresh spinach with garlic.

Tell us about dessert Wanda

Yeah, Seasons 52 dessert program is great because of the taste and size.

They’re all served in attractive shooter glasses. Carrot cake and the turtle cheesecake are my favorites and no guilt due to the size and the price. This is a great restaurant to try and possibly fall in love with.

Website:

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Louisville, Ky. 鈥� Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville鈥檚 hometown theme and water park, is excited to open its gates for the 2024 season beginning Saturday, May 11, with an exclusive season passholder preview night on Friday, May 10. With colorful entertainment options, month-long festivals, and more cheer-worthy days, Kentucky Kingdom is Louisville鈥檚 spot to create unlimited memories with every visit!

Kentucky Kingdom is upping the ante for the 2024 season with 24 additional days to visit, even more new activities, and exciting new events throughout the park! Beginning May 25, the first-ever Petal Palooza will blanket the park in color and kick off the summer entertainment schedule including Color Blast, the all-new spectacular where stunt meets circus. Plus, guests can participate in special events throughout June, including a Silent Disco party and Color Run 5K race. Kentucky Kingdom will celebrate the 4^th of July with the first-ever Red, White, and Bluegrass Bash ahead of the return of Summer Blast. Both events will illuminate the night sky with fireworks every weekend throughout July. With countless special surprises in store and the all-new Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom to round out the season, 2024 will be a record-breaking year for Louisville鈥檚 hometown theme and water park.

鈥淲e are thrilled to welcome guests back to Kentucky Kingdom for our longest season yet. With many new surprises in store, we know our guests will be excited for each trip to the park,鈥� said Sarah Worrell, Kentucky Kingdom General Manager. 鈥淲e have a jam-packed schedule of fun planned for 2024 that is sure to excite guests of all ages every time they enter Kentucky Kingdom鈥檚 gates.鈥� 

The sun will soon shine bright over Louisville as temperatures begin to rise! Beginning, Saturday, May 25, a trip to Kentucky Kingdom鈥檚 Hurricane Bay will be the perfect way to cool off! Guests can once again float on over to dip their toes in the water or venture to the Sound Waves Stage for a packed lineup of musicians every weekend throughout the summer.

With 2024 being Kentucky Kingdom鈥檚 longest season ever, season passholders will unlock access to 134 days at Kentucky Kingdom, with unlimited admission all spring, summer, fall and winter, including to Kentucky Kingdom鈥檚 all-new events like Petal Palooza, Red, White and Bluegrass Bash, and Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom. The fun doesn鈥檛 stop there! Kentucky Kingdom鈥檚 season passholders unlock many benefits including free parking, discounts on food and merchandise, discounts at select Herschend sister properties, and so much more! And, season passholders will enjoy a special season preview on May 10, ahead of the public opening on May 11. Unlimited family fun and thrills await!

Purchase season passes online today at  for as low as $79.99 before prices increase after Sunday, June 9! For information on hours, season passes, entertainment schedule, and more, visit .

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Hello fellow moviegoers. The weekend is finally here and like always, we got you covered.

Ryan Gosling’s 鈥淭he Fall Guy鈥� bombed in its opening weekend despite strong critic and audience scores.

This has led to a lackluster kick off for the summer movie season.

Let’s hope 鈥淜ingdom of the Planet of the Apes鈥� opens stronger, or else the summer movie season might be in trouble.

MOVIES (IN THEATERS)

KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (In theaters now)

About: Many years after the reign of Caesar, a young ape goes on a journey that will lead him to question everything he’s been taught about the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.

However, if you do not feel like heading to your local theater, don鈥檛 worry about it. There are plenty of streaming movies to watch and shows to binge this weekend.

MOVIES (STREAMING)

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE (Streaming now on Netflix)

About: Lana’s daughter Emma returns from London and announces that she’s getting married next month. Things become more complicated when Lana learns that the man who stole Emma’s heart is the son of the man who broke hers years ago.

TV SHOWS

BLACK TWITTER: A PEOPLE’S HISTORY (Streaming now on Hulu)

About: This docuseries centers on the rise, movements, voices and memes that established Black Twitter as an influential force in multiple facets of the American political and cultural life.

BLOOD OF ZEUS (Season 2 streaming now on Netflix)

About: To escape the Underworld forever, Hades crafts a plan to claim Zeus’s crown for himself and reunite with his beloved Persephone as ruler of Olympus.

THE CHI (Season 6 鈥� Part 2 streaming now on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME)

About: This season, life in THE CHI reverberates between the highest highs and lowest lows. Big dreams are finally realized but at a cost and everyone will be tested in unimaginable ways as they calculate the risks and rewards of their next big move. Emmett (Jacob Latimore) and Kiesha鈥檚 (Birgundi Baker) blissful blended union is tested by his insatiable drive to expand Smokey鈥檚 and a new perilous partnership, while Kiesha finally races toward a rewarding new career. Douda (Curtiss Cook) deals with the fallout of Q鈥檚 murder and its effect on the shifting loyalty of his inner circle. Victor鈥檚 (Luke James) bold declaration of love for both his new girlfriend and his beloved community will impact his political ambitions. Happily married Jada (Yolonda Ross) mentors Emmett and her besties as they navigate relationships. Kevin (Alex Hibbert) is becoming a brilliant master gamer but struggles with the youthful pitfalls of early independence. Jake (Michael V. Epps) launches a new business, and Papa (Shamon Brown Jr.) falls for an older woman while questioning his faith.

DOCTOR WHO (Streaming now on Disney+)

About: The Doctor and his companion Ruby Sunday travel across time and space, with adventures all the way from the Regency era in England, to war-torn future worlds. Throughout their adventures in the TARDIS 鈥� a time-traveling ship shaped like a police box 鈥� they encounter incredible friends and dangerous foes, including a terrifying bogeyman, and the Doctor鈥檚 most powerful enemy yet.

What are you watching this weekend?

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The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is hosting 聽to reflect on a trailblazing life in conversation with UC medical student Abraham Araya, punctuated with live jazz music. The event coincides with the release of Dr. Crawford鈥檚 memoir The Bone Doctor鈥檚 Concerto: Music, Surgery and the Pieces in Between聽and will include live music from UC鈥檚 College Conservatory of Music jazz quartet.

Dr. Crawford is one of Cincinnati鈥檚 most influential leaders in medicine and his story is one of resilience and ambition. Growing up in the segregated South, he overcame systemic and very personal incidents of racism. He spent years playing in jazz bands throughout the Jim Crow South, making a music degree as appealing as a medical degree. He became the University of Tennessee College of Medicine鈥檚 first African American student in 1960 and then traveled the world as a surgeon for the U.S. Navy before settling in Cincinnati, where he established the Comprehensive Pediatric Orthopedic Clinic at Cincinnati Children鈥檚 Hospital, the first in the region.

The program begins at 6 p.m., followed by a reception with the UC College Conservatory of Music jazz quartet and book signing with Dr. Crawford at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for Freedom Center Members and $10 for general public. Tickets are available at .

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In the heart of Manhattan, blocks from the 43rd Street and Ninth Avenue apartment on the 42nd floor where the story unfolds lies the Shubert Theater at 44th Street near Eighth Avenue, currently home to the captivating Broadway musical,  Developed over 12 years by the incomparable Alicia Keys, this jukebox musical is a touching journey through the soulful melodies that have defined her career.

At a recent midweek and matinee performance, attended by Keys鈥� own mother, 鈥淗ell鈥檚 Kitchen鈥� was not just palpable, but electrifying. From the moment the lights dimmed to the final bow, the exceptional performances and the energy of the show were evident, even as Keys鈥� mother, Terria Joseph, could be heard enthusiastically cheering, laughing, and singing along throughout the performance.  The musical left little doubt as to why, in bustling New York, in the middle of the week, a sold-out crowd poured into the Shubert Theater. It also provided many clues as to why this production has earned an impressive 13 Tony Award nominations.

The narrative delves deep into the tumultuous relationship between 17-year-old Ali (the main character based on Keys), portrayed with profound depth and charisma by Gianna Harris (filling in for Tony-nominated lead actress Maleah Joi Moon), and her fiercely protective mother, Jersey, in an absolute powerhouse performance by Shoshana Bean. Set against the backdrop of late 1990s Times Square area, Ali鈥檚 quest for independence and love clashes with Jersey鈥檚 fears and desires for her daughter鈥檚 safety, all of which creates a story that likely resonates with the audience鈥檚 own experiences.

Harris shines in her portrayal of Ali, seamlessly weaving Keys鈥� iconic hits such as 鈥淕irl on Fire鈥� and 鈥淔allin鈥欌�� into the fabric of her character鈥檚 journey. Opposite her, Bean delivers a tour de force performance, capturing the raw emotion and maternal love that drive Jersey鈥檚 actions.

The supporting cast, including Brandon Victor Dixon as Ali鈥檚 father, Davis, and Kecia Lewis as the amazing Miss Liza Jane, Ali鈥檚 spiritual mentor, further elevating the production. Lewis鈥檚 rendition of 鈥淎uthors of Forever鈥� is exceptionally breathtaking, showcasing her remarkable vocal range and depth of emotion.

While 鈥淗ell鈥檚 Kitchen鈥� may not be a strict retelling of Keys鈥� life story 鈥� it ostensibly covers just her life as a 17-year-old, it offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in her adolescence. Kristoffer Diaz鈥檚 expertly crafted book ensures that the focus remained on Ali and her journey toward self-discovery, creating a narrative that sticks with audiences long after the final curtain falls.

With its electrifying performances and soul-stirring music, 鈥淗ell鈥檚 Kitchen鈥� is a testament to Alicia Keys鈥� enduring legacy as a musical icon. It proved more than just a Broadway production; it鈥檚 a celebration of the power of music to inspire, uplift, and transform lives. It鈥檚 also a gift from Keys to New York, celebrated in the closing with the heart-thumping sound, lyrics, and performance of Keys鈥� hit with Jay-Z, 鈥淓mpire State of Mind,鈥� with the cast alternately crooning, 鈥淥oh, New York; Ooh, New York. Even if it ain鈥檛 all it seems, I got a pocketful of dreams; Baby I鈥檓 from New York! Concrete jungle where dreams are made of There鈥檚 nothing you can鈥檛 do; Now you鈥檙e in New York! These streets will make you feel brand new; Big lights will inspire you; Hear it for New York, New York, New York!鈥�

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