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doomed lovers, and they both picked 
up Tony nominations. Music is by John 
Kander and Fred Ebb, and book by Joe 
Masteroff. 
To create a cabaret club ambiance, 
part of the large theater was turned into 
a lounge and bar. About an hour and a 
half before the production begins, the 
audience enters the lounge greeted with 
a free shot of cherry schnapps. Once 
inside, strolling dancers and musicians 
can be seen performing. The theater itself 
resembles a supper club, with tables sur-
rounding the circular stage. 
At the August Wilson Theatre, 245 W. 
52nd St., (888) 985-9421. 
Enemy of the People, with five Tony 
nominations, is the story of a small-town 
doctor who is shunned by his commu-
nity after he sounds the alarm about a 
looming catastrophe. Jeremy Strong 
(Succession), whose father’s family is 
Jewish, is nominated for actor in a lead-

ing role. He plays the doctor who is ostra-
cized by the powerful people who want 
to protect their own interests. Written 
by Henrik Ibsen, this new adaptation is 
written by Amy Herzog and directed by 
Sam Gold. It also stars Michael Imperioli 
(White Lotus.) It closes June 23.
At the Circle in the Square Theatre, 235 
W. 50th St, (212) 239-6200.
Hell’s Kitchen, which garnered 13 Tony 
nominations including Best Musical, is 
the semi-autobiographical story of Alicia 
Keys. Set in the mid-1990s, this jukebox 
musical takes place in Hell’s Kitchen, the 
Manhattan neighborhood where Keys 
grew up. Living in an apartment with her 
overprotective yet well-meaning mom, 
17-year-old Ali (the Alicia Keys charac-
ter) finds comfort from an accomplished 
female piano player in her apartment 
building. That is where Ali learns to 
play the piano. Some of Keys’ greatest 
hits are featured. Maleah Joi Moon, who 

plays Ali, and Shoshana Bean, who plays 
the mom, were both nominated. Also 
recognized for a Tony were Michael 
Greif for director, Natasha Katz for 
lighting design, and Tom Kitt and Adam 
Blackstone for best orchestration. 
At the Shubert Theatre, 225 W. 44th St., 
(212) 239-6200.
Illinoise, based on Sufjan Stevens’ 
beloved 2005 indie folk concept album, 
Illinoise, garnered four nominations 
including Best Musical. (Stevens was 
born in Detroit and lived there until 
he was 9.) With no spoken dialogue, 
this musical tells the story through 
dance. Henry, a shy writer, gathers a 
group of strangers together in a cornfield 
to tell each other stories. One of the sto-
ries is about two of Henry’s friends who 
passed away. Renown ballet dancer Craig 
Salstein is in the cast. The show was a 
collaboration between choreographer 
Justin Peck, who nabbed a Tony nomina-

The cast of Hell’s Kitchen 
at the Shubert Theatre. 
FACING PAGE: Eddie 
Redmayne as the Emcee 
in Cabaret at the Kit Kat 
Club at the August Wilson 
Theatre.

MARC J. FRANKLIN

