Phillip Johnson Richardson Will Join Broadway's Hell's Kitchen This Month

Phillip Johnson Richardson will join the cast of Hell's Kitchen as Knuck beginning October 22 at the Shubert Theatre. Richardson, most recently seen on Broadway as The Tinman in The Wiz, will succeed original company member Chris Lee, whose final performance is set for October 20.

News of Lee's departure follows that of fellow original company member Shoshana Bean, whose own final performance is set for December 1.

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.

The cast is currently led by Bean as Jersey, Brandon Victor Dixon as Davis, Kecia Lewis as Miss Liza Jane, Lee as Knuck, and 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. Casting is by Heidi Griffiths and Kate Murray.

READ: Camille A. Brown Is Bringing '90s New York Back to Broadway in Hell's Kitchen

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.