Shoshana Bean has announced via Instagram post that she will play her final performance as Jersey in Hell's Kitchen December 1. Bean received a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress for originating the role, which she played in both the Public Theater Off-Broadway premiere and the subsequent Broadway transfer of the musical.
Hell’s Kitchen features music and lyrics by Alicia 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.
Bean made her Broadway debut as a performer in the one-night-only tribute concert First You Dream: A Tribute to Courage, and performed in the ensemble of the 2001 Dreamgirls concert the following year. The actor became a fan favorite with celebrated Broadway performances like Elphaba in Wicked and Jenna in Waitress, and received her first Tony Award nomination for playing Susan Young in Mr. Saturday Night.
Hell's Kitchen officially opened at the Shubert Theatre April 20 after beginning previews March 28—read the reviews here. Michael Greif directs the musical, which features choreography by Camille A. Brown.
READ: Shoshana Bean Admits It Was a Challenge 'On an Ego Level' to Play a Mom in Hell's Kitchen
The cast is led by Bean (Wicked) as Jersey, Brandon Victor Dixon (Hamilton) as Davis, Tony winner Kecia Lewis (Ain't Misbehavin') as Miss Liza Jane, Chris Lee (Hamilton) as Knuck, and Tony winner Maleah Joi Moon as Ali.
They share the stage with Chad Carstarphen as Ray, Vanessa Ferguson as Tiny, Jakeim Hart as Q, Jackie Leon as Jessica, Nyseli Vega as Millie, Lamont Walker II as 'Riq, and Rema Webb as Crystal, alongside ensemble members Reid Clarke, Chloe Davis, Nico DeJesus, Timothy L. Edwards, Eliazar Jimenez, Raechelle Manalo, Sarah Parker, Nyseli Vega, and Niki Saludez.
Rounding out the company are understudies Desmond Sean Ellington, Badia Farha, Gianna Harris, Jade Milan, Susan Oliveras, and Oscar Whitney Jr.; and swings Alexia, Takia Hopson, Maggy Van Den Heuvel, Gabriel Hyman, Lindsey Jolyn Jackson, Onyxx Noel, Eric Parra, George Vickers V, Aaron Nicholas Patterson, and William Roberson. Donna Vivino serves as standby for Jersey. Casting is by Heidi Griffiths and Kate Murray.
READ: Women on Fire: Shoshana Bean and Maleah Joi Moon Fearlessly Lead the Alicia Keys Musical
Greif reassembled his complete Off-Broadway creative team for the Broadway bow. 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.
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