Marea Joy Moon was destined for the lead role in Alicia Keys' new musical hell's kitchenas the two had an artistic connection before they met.
“All my best friends were in school productions and I was jealous of being able to play at school on Saturdays,” Moon told EBONY. “I decided to audition for whatever came next, and that was 'The Wizard of Oz,' which also happened to be Alicia's first show.”
From her starring role as Dorothy in a sixth-grade play to her Broadway debut, Moon currently stars as Ali in a fictionalized version of Keyes' life. Exploring first love and self-discovery for a 17-year-old in the 1990s, Keys' music is the show's soundtrack, from her early work to new songs. A song written for the musical “Kaleidoscope” by the 16-time Grammy Award-winning author.
EBONY talked to Moon. Moon was given a tour of the purple, plant-filled dressing room designed by Production Her designer James P. Connelly, and learned more about her connection to Keys and why this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came just in time. .
EBONY: When I saw the show, the audience was on fire.
Marea Joy Moon: It was a good show, so I'm glad you came. I love it when the audience comes excited just to have fun.
What's the first thing that goes through your mind when you wake up in the morning and find out that you'll be starring in your Broadway debut that night, playing a role that you created?
Two things exist at the same time. I feel a mixture of gratitude and gratitude for the fact that this is so unrealistic and crazy. The other half is preparing myself emotionally, mentally, and physically for the evening's show. When we did it off-Broadway at the Public Theater, it was a beast in itself. But now this is a completely different vehicle. I realized that there's a certain level of preparation that I need to do every day, not just stretching and going to the gym, but also preparing my mind to put on my best show, perform my best, and communicate my best. . A version of the story for the audience.
HmmDo Ali's qualities reflect your personality? And what's the difference?
Because I created this role, I had the opportunity to infuse many of her central characters with my own experiences. A lot of her is what I experienced when I was 17 years old. This requires either stepping out of freedom and redefining ourselves, or learning who we are at that age through the lens of freedom. I was experiencing a turbulent relationship with her mother similar to my own. Thank God she is like my best friend now that I am a little older and can see things more clearly. But at 17, I wanted to find myself and navigate love. Ali is all about navigating difficult questions about love, family, and complex relationships. In my opinion, 17 years old is the time between childhood and adulthood, which can be a difficult bridge to cross.
What is the most rebellious thing you did as a teenager?
My parents were strict, so most of my rebellion came from a part of my personality that tried to be something other than what my mother wanted me to be. I used to stay out late at night, but it didn't matter to my parents at all. It was about finding out who I was at a time when I was trying to escape the idea of who my mother or anyone else thought I was. I was really trying to confirm that I was becoming the person Marea was. It was all about exploring what I like, who I like, things like that.
What happened in your life that drew you into musical theater?
It was a combination of several different factors. I grew up with very musical parents. They weren't necessarily the best musicians, but they loved music and art. They made sure my brother and I always had access to good music. My mother is an immigrant from Belize and my father is from the Bronx, so I had eclectic tastes.After entering wizard of oz Working with my first director, Terry Saggio — I owe a lot of my career to her because she believed in me.—I caught a bug. From there she performed in every educational theater show offered in the district until graduating in 2020.
As you bring Alicia Keys' legacy to life through her music, what are the most important ideals you want to capture on stage?
I think the most important thing when going on stage, especially when singing, is to try to embody her soulfulness.I grew up listening to “Unbreakable,” “No One,” and even her debut album A minor song. In my opinion, she is an American icon. Everyone knows her work. “Empire State of Mind” is always echoing throughout Times Square, which is so surreal and an honor. Alicia, I believe she's one of the last remaining musicians who really cares about the musicality and musical impact of what they're making. I had breakfast with her once and she told me about her influences, including Stevie Wonder and Prince. One of the best things about her in this role is that she and I have this spiritual, earthy, down-to-earth vibe that comes naturally to her. And she's such a great leader. Whenever she has a chance to hang out with her off stage, she strives to soak up as much of her greatness as possible. If I don't, she'll take me out to dinner and make sure I'm okay. she is a wonderful person.
I share the stage with the best, most loving, most supportive, most down to earth, spiritually gifted cast. I love coming to work.
-Marea Joy Moon
What piece of advice did she give you that really helped you grow professionally and personally?
please take care of yourself! This is so crazy to me. As I work every day, I am gaining strength little by little, but I cannot escape the fact that this is literally the realization of my biggest dream. It's not that it doesn't feel like it's on time and divinely timed. God's timing is always right. But doing this at 21 years old is insane. So Alicia and I have these conversations and she's always checking to see if I'm checking in with my spirit. A friend of mine calls it “positive trauma.” This experience has expanded me in ways I never imagined and is forcing me to grow at a very fast rate. It is important to check your mental health and make sure your mind is clear and ready to accept the blessings that are coming your way.
In the musical, Ali has a mentor who changes his life…
Yes, the character Miss Liza Jane is based on Alicia's real-life piano teacher Aziza Miller. Alicia hired her to play piano in the musical, so she's now part of our show's orchestra!
Who became yours?
Alicia is definitely a huge inspiration and role model. She takes on the role of Kuma's older sister and mother in my life. She has been very protective of me and I am so grateful because this is a wild ride. I have my own Miss Liza Jane. His name is Timothy Walton. He was my director and vocal coach when I attended Franklin High School. He leaves a lasting legacy in Franklin Township. [New Jersey] Thank you for putting on a great high school show.our hell's kitchen The director, Michael Greif, taught me everything about Broadway.
What is your favorite moment in the show? Scariest?
I think the best moments were the finale of “Empire State of Mind” and the opening of the show. The opening is filled with love, gratitude, and the gospel. This explosive energy opens up the audience. The most difficult part was “The River''. We call this song Ali's girlfriend's “I want” song. Because this song shows the trajectory of her story. This is what she wants. The next question is how to get it. This song is about Ali dying for her freedom, wanting to escape her mother's iron grip and experience her world on her own. She looks to the Hudson River as a metaphor for freedom. It's a very vulnerable song of hers, so most of it is based on her own experiences. My father is my life and one of my best friends. But my mother and I lived in a small apartment. I have flashbacks of living there and feeling small at 17 years old. There's so much vulnerability at play in that moment, and it's difficult at times, but it deserves its place in the show.
Now that you've gone through this, what advice would you give your teenage self?
Keep your face facing the light. This may sound a little spiritual, but when I was a teenager, I struggled with depression and anxiety. When your world is so small and you're just starting to build your world, it's very difficult not to feel like every event, situation, problem, and problem is the end of the world. I think many teenagers and people in general can relate to this quote because everyone has been a teenager at some point. Remember that there is good everywhere. Miss Liza Jane is a good presence in Ali's life. It reminds me that everything is fine. It's a phrase we repeat a million times on the show because it's a big theme. “it's okay. Know that you don't have to do this alone. There will always be love in your life. I am grateful to have love in my life. Find the light in your life and keep chasing it.
hell's kitchen is currently playing at the Shubert Theater in New York City.
