Broadway is about to get a powerful new voice.
Gospel icon Yolanda Adams, a four-time Grammy Award winner celebrated for her rich, soaring vocals and spiritual depth, is officially stepping onto the Broadway stage for the first time.
She will join the cast of Hell’s Kitchen, the acclaimed Alicia Keys musical now captivating audiences at the Shubert Theatre in New York City.
Adams, 64, will take on the role of Miss Liza Jane, the character originated by Tony-winning actor Kecia Lewis. She begins performances on November 21, sharing the role briefly before taking it over fully on December 16. Her run is scheduled through January 25, 2026.
For Adams, this moment fulfills a lifelong wish. She expressed that performing on Broadway had always been a dream and shared that Miss Liza Jane reminded her of a personal mentor whose influence shaped her life. She described Hell’s Kitchen as a story that reflects real experiences — joy, pain, love and resilience — something she believes audiences everywhere can emotionally recognize. She added that joining this production feels like stepping into a story that feels familiar, warm and deeply human.
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Alicia Keys, who developed the musical based on her own upbringing in New York City, said she was honored to welcome Adams to the production. Keys described Adams as a global great whose voice and presence bring authenticity, emotional depth and spiritual resonance to the role. She praised Kecia Lewis for shaping Miss Liza Jane’s legacy and expressed excitement for audiences to see Adams continue the character’s journey.
Lewis, who received multiple major theater honors for the role — including a Tony, Grammy, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award — will give her final performance on December 13.
Yolanda Adams has long been considered one of the defining voices in gospel and contemporary inspirational music. She has released 15 albums over the course of her career, including landmark projects such as Mountain High…Valley Low and Believe, and has earned major recognition across music awards and cultural institutions. Beyond the stage and studio, she has hosted her own nationally syndicated radio show, authored inspirational works, acted in television projects and launched philanthropic and entrepreneurial initiatives, including her Voice of an Angel Foundation and the Lady Banneker watch collection.
Hell’s Kitchen tells the coming-of-age story of 17-year-old Ali, a young woman navigating identity, purpose and possibility while growing up in the vibrant, complicated landscape of New York City. The musical blends familiar Alicia Keys hits with new material created for the stage, under the direction of Michael Greif and choreography by Camille A. Brown, with a script by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz.
The musical continues to draw strong audiences, and with Adams joining the cast, theatergoers can expect a run filled with emotional resonance, powerhouse vocals and a deeper spiritual presence woven through the story’s heart.
Tickets for Hell’s Kitchen are currently available.
