Grammy Award Winner NE-YO
To Make Broadway Debut in Award-winning HELL’S KITCHEN
Beginning Thursday, December 4, 2025
(New York, NY) Broadway’s “rare must-see” (New York Times) HELL’S KITCHEN, the Grammy Award-winning hit musical featuring the powerhouse music of 17-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys announces three-time, Grammy award-winning hitmaker, entrepreneur and philanthropist NE-YO will make his Broadway debut beginning Thursday, December 4, 2025. Nearly a decade after the recording artist won audiences over as The Tin Man in NBC’s “The Wiz Live!,” NE-YO steps onto the Broadway stage for the first time in the role of “Davis.”
“I’ve performed on a lot of stages in my life, but making my Broadway debut in HELL’S KITCHEN is something truly special,” NE-YO said. “Alicia created a world that’s real, raw, and full of soul, and stepping into the role of ‘Davis’ lets me explore a whole new side of storytelling. I’m honored to join this incredible cast and creative team, and I can’t wait to bring everything I’ve got to the Shubert Theatre.”
“I’m so excited that NE-YO is making his Broadway debut and joining the HELL’S KITCHEN family at the iconic Shubert Theatre,” said Keys. “His special talent is going to bring even more magic to this powerful show! Our story is about finding community, finding your place and we are excited to welcome him into the role of ‘Davis’! This is going to unforgettable!!”
HELL’S KITCHEN, the multi-award-winning Broadway musical created and inspired by Alicia Keys, takes you on the journey of Ali – a 17-year-old girl full of fire.
Relatable, raw, and refreshingly fun, it’s a celebration of finding yourself, your purpose, and the people who lift you up. The music—a mix of Keys’ classics and new songs written exclusively for the show—and exhilarating choreography bring to life a story that speaks to you no matter where you’re from, where you’ve been, or where you’re going. Come experience where dreams begin: HELL’S KITCHEN.
The “powerhouse cast” (Variety) is currently led by Amanda Reid, Jessica Vosk, Tony Award® winner for the role of Miss Liza Jane, Kecia Lewis, 9-time Grammy Award nominee Durrell “Tank” Babbs and Phillip Johnson Richardson. HELL’S KITCHEN is directed by five-time Tony Award® nominee Michael Greif, with choreography by five-time Tony Award® nominee Camille A. Brown, a book by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award ® nominee Kristoffer Diaz – and the music of Keys, featuring new songs and her greatest hits.
The company features Angela Birchett, Chad Carstarphen, Reid Clarke, Nico DeJesus, Mykhel Duckett, Vanessa Ferguson, Lulu Oro Hamlett, Jakeim Hart, Takia Hopson, Gabriel Hyman, Lindsey Jolyn Jackson, Eliazar Jimenez, Kelsee Kimmel, Jackie Leon, Raechelle Manalo, Miki Michelle, Benjamin H. Moore, Onyxx Noel, Susan Oliveras, Amma Osei, Sarah Parker, Eric Parra, Aaron Nicholas Patterson, William Roberson, Niki Saludez, Mariand Torres, Maggy Van Den Heuvel, Nyseli Vega, Lamont Walker II, Keenan D. Washington, Oscar Whitney Jr.
The creative team for HELL’S KITCHEN includes, Tony Award® nominee Robert Brill (Scenic Design), Tony Award® winner Dede Ayite (Costume Design), Tony Award® winner Natasha Katz (Lighting Design), Tony Award® winner Gareth Owen (Sound Design), Tony Award® nominee Peter Nigrini (Projection Design), Mia Neal (Hair and Wig Design), Michael Clifton (Makeup Design), Heidi Griffiths and Kate Murray (Casting), Danny Maly (Production Stage Manager), and Foresight Theatrical (General Management).
The music team of HELL’S KITCHEN includes orchestrations by Tony Award® winner Tom Kitt and Tony Award® nominee Adam Blackstone, arrangements by Alicia Keys and Adam Blackstone, music consulting by Tom Kitt and music direction by Garret Healey.
HELL’S KITCHEN made its world premiere October 24, 2023 running until January 14, 2024, including a five-week extension—at The Public Theater.
HELL’S KITCHEN on Broadway is produced by AKW Productions. Aaron Lustbader serves as Executive Producer. Roc Nation, DML Productions, Mandy Hackett, The Sunshine Group, Julie Yorn, The Jacobs Family, No Guarantees Productions, Front Row Productions, Sharpton Swindal Productions, Grove Entertainment, The Jaime Family, John Gore Organization, Terria Joseph, Andy Nahas, James L. Nederlander, Candy Spelling, Clara Wu Tsai, Universal Music Publishing, Independent Presenters Network, Della Pietra Spark Theatrical, TodayTix ARGU, Score 3 Partners and The Public Theater, serve as co-producers.
NE-YO is a three-time, GRAMMY award-winning hitmaker, songwriter, actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose smooth vocals, creative storytelling and dynamic versatility have defined the sound of music for nearly two decades.
NE-YO ascended to superstardom with his 2005 debut single “So Sick,” which was certified quadruple-platinum. Since then, NE-YO has continued to deliver an array of era-shaping singles, including “Sexy Love,” “Closer,” “Because of You,” “Miss Independent,” “Mad,” “Let Me Love You,” “Time of Our Lives,” and many more. He also earned his first diamond-certified song with his collaboration with Pitbull and Afrojack on “Give Me Everything.”
As a solo artist, NE-YO has cemented his legacy as one of the all-time hitmakers, winning three GRAMMY awards, earning two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 and generating over 23 billion streams across his entire catalog. February 2026 will mark the 20-year anniversary of his debut album, “In My Own Words,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and became a cultural touchstone.
Additionally, NE-YO has proven to be an equally talented songwriter, penning bangers like Rihanna’s “Unfaithful,” “Russian Roulette,” and “Take a Bow,” along with Beyoncé’s 2006 breakup anthem “Irreplaceable” and songs for such artists as Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion and Mario, among others.
His iconic discography was on display during his NPR Tiny Desk concert, where he performed his chart-topping hits. Most recently, NE-YO was honored with the Key to the City of Las Vegas and a proclamation from the mayor that designated August 7 as “NE-YO Day” in the city, considering he was raised in Las Vegas and spent time at the local Boys & Girls Club.
The multihyphenate has also leveraged his platform to expand into the film and television space, appearing in STARZ’s BMF, NBC’s World of Dance, Netflix’s Dance Monsters, Empire, Stomp the Yard, Save the Last Dance, Battle: Los Angeles, George Lucas' Red Tails, The Wiz Live!, Starz’ Step Up: High Water, Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding and The Sound of Christmas.
NE-YO is currently gearing up to explore a new musical frontier and preparing to release his country-inspired album. He has spent months in Nashville, working with different collaborators to blend his signature sound with the poignant melodies of country music.