Hell's Kitchen: Behind the Dream

by Alicia Keys, Lise Funderburg

A stunning behind-the-scenes look into Alicia Keys’s hit Broadway musical, Hell’s Kitchen, featuring never-before-seen photographs, exclusive interviews, and insights from Keys herself.

Hell’s Kitchen debuted on Broadway in 2024—and the show has been electrifying audiences ever since. With plenty of awards attention, the musical has drawn sold-out crowds to the Shubert Theatre for Alicia Keys’s coming-of-age tale that shows us where dreams begin. Based on Keys’s own story of growing up in New York City's Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood in the 1990s, the show follows Ali, a headstrong teen searching for her independence, her voice, and her place in the world. Stifled by an overprotective mother, Ali is lost until she meets her a neighbor who opens her heart to the power of music.

Featuring many of Keys’s greatest R&B hits, along with songs created especially for the musical, the story is an inspiring mother-daughter tale about finding yourself and your purpose, and the community that lifts you.

The Hell’s Kitchen book shares an intimate look inside the show’s creation, from the first spark of an idea through the musical’s thirteen-year journey to Broadway, where it continues to thrill audiences today. The book includes exclusive interviews with key cast and creative team members; first-person notes from Keys on her original songs; stunning stage photography and behind-the-scenes images; insights into costume creation, set design, choreography, and casting; and much more. This beautiful tribute answers every burning question a fan of the musical may have. Ultimately, it’s a triumphant celebration of Alicia Keys and New York City.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

240 pages, Hardcover

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

Passionate about my work, in love with my family and dedicated to spreading light. It's contagious! ;-)

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed seeing a behind the scenes look at creating this show! I haven’t seen Hells Kitchen, but I am a huge theater fan and see a lot of Broadway shows every year. I love a look into everything that has to happen before a show even makes it to a stage, let alone a Broadway stage.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think my biggest knock with this book was in all the interviews people kept saying things about how in the context of the show the meaning behind these songs change. I was excited to read the show and see the songs change with context. but then there was no script. it was just the libretto. it was a real let down. I don't know what the context is in some of the songs and I really wanted to know the whole story

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be attending the stage show of Hell's Kitchen next month so had to read this book beforehand. I enjoyed learning about the story behind the show. It was well written and included input from critical artists who contributed to the making of the show. Great book for fans of Alicia Keys or of Broadway productions.

[William Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell’s Kitchen: Behind the Dream is more than a companion book, it’s a love letter to New York, to music, and to the journey of turning life into art. Alicia Keys opens the curtain not just on her Broadway hit, but on her own story of resilience, creativity, and community. The mix of behind-the-scenes photography, personal reflections, and interviews with cast and crew makes you feel like you’re part of the process, watching this dream take shape from the ground up. What I loved most is how it captures both the grit and the glory: the years of work, the sparks of inspiration, the neighborhood heartbeat that infused every note. If you’ve seen the show, this book is a treasure chest; if you haven’t, it will make you desperate to experience it live. A stunning, soulful celebration of Alicia Keys’s artistry and the city that raised her.

[Lore H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome peek behind the scenes! I’m a nerd for hearing the ins and outs of a 13-year process, so I was all ears here. Cool to learn about the intentionality behind every decision and detail that went into making Hells Kitchen such a work of art. Didn’t surprise me that Alicia was so involved in all parts of production- she’s a creative genius. Only slight improvement that would have made this 5-stars for me is if the creative team had narrated their own parts in the audiobook. And if they’d added snippets of the songs in between chapters (like Sara B did in her memoir).

[Heather McC · Rating 5 out of 5]

This coffee table book covers the humble beginnings and triumphant run of the Broadway show 'Hell's Kitchen' - a jukebox musical centered on the work of Alicia Keys. Autobiographical in nature, the show is not only a story of familial and romantic love, but also love of a city and an era. While the show is closing on Broadway at the end of February 2026, I hope to be fortunate enough to see it on tour.

[Alana Koontz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must listen/read for an Alicia Keys fan, a theater fan, or just a fan of the overall creative process! This was a great audio book narrated by Alicia Keys, the cast of Hells Kitchen and the creative team who brought the show to life. It was a really deep dive into the creative process of putting on a broadway show mixed with the interesting childhood and rise to fame of Alicia Keys.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Definitely interesting to see the background behind the play and how it got going. I would definitely seeing the play in person. I wished it would have gone into more detail about Alicia got the idea and what inspired her to go for it a bit more

[Tina Panik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for Library Journal; full review appears there.

[ELISA C. LYNCH - Lis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Finished This Book By @lkfunderburg and @aliciakeys @hellskitchenbway I Enjoyed It A Lot, HK Forever, Go See It!!

[Sarah]

DNF

[Kristy Sokol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t know much about the show before picking this up but I have always loved Broadway behind-the-scenes stories. Happy that I found this one — I really enjoyed it!

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A biography of a play based on Alicia Keys upbringing. I never knew so much went into producing a play. But all of the awards show that if you do it right, it truly pays off!