VIDEO: Keshia Lewis sings Hell's Kitchen's powerful “Perfect Way to Die”

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VIDEO: Keshia Lewis sings the powerful “Perfect Way to Die” Hell's Kitchen

Lewis was nominated for a Tony Award for playing an inspiring piano teacher in the Alicia Keys musical.

Keshia Lewis made her Broadway debut in the musical at age 18. Dream Girl (She was the understudy for the role of Effie.) After more than 40 years in the industry, Lewis finally received a Tony Award nomination, which was her first foray into the role of Effie. Hell's Kitchen“Who is more blessed than me?” she cries.

in Hell's KitchenWith music composed by Grammy Award-winning musician Alicia Keys and written by Christopher Diaz, Lewis plays Ms. Liza Jane, a piano teacher who helps young Ali discover her love of music. In the exclusive performance above, Lewis sings the show's first act closing song, “A Perfect Way to Die,” a ballad that addresses America's history of police brutality and racism against Black people. She sings the song to encourage Ali to continue pursuing music despite the obstacles that stand in her way. The video was filmed at Alchemical Studios.

When asked what the Tony nomination means to him, Lewis replied, “First of all, to be at this point in my life, trying to mentor young actors, to be able to play a role that is such a part of who I am… and to sing such powerful songs that speak to the same things I believe in. It's amazing.”

in Hell's KitchenMiss Liza Jane plays a key role in Ali's life. For Lewis, her father was a figure in her own life, someone who generously supported her acting career. “Before he passed away, he was my biggest supporter. My mother was worried about me. She was like, 'How can you make a living as an actor? What?' And my father was the one who said, 'I'm in your care, you can do it.'”

On top of that Dream Girl and Hell's KitchenLewis has a legendary Broadway career that includes: The Gospels of Colonus and If you come to this islandFor Lewis, the Tony nomination is a nice validation. “I know I've done a good job,” she says, “but sometimes it all has to come together, and that's exactly what happened here: this role, this season, this hour, this show, all of it. It's actually pretty magical.”

Hell's Kitchen It is currently the most-nominated musical for the 2024 Tony Awards, with 13 nominations including Best Musical.

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PHOTOS: Behind the scenes of Hell's Kitchen's Keshia Lewis' exclusive performance of “A Perfect Way to Die”