Hell’s Kitchen was the first of the nominated musicals to get performance at the 2024 Tonys, and the number featured Alicia Keys and Jay-Z reuniting to perform their hit “Empire State of Mind.”

But the semi-autobiographical show, for which Keys composed the score, arranged the music and served as producer, lost the top prize of best musical and winning only two awards despite going into the 2024 Tonys with a leading 13 nominations.

Hell’s Kitchen was tied with Stereophonic as the most-nominated productions this year, but the play won five awards, including best play.

Hell’s Kitchen’s wins were in the categories of best actress (Maleah Joi Moon) and featured actress (Kecia Lewis) in a musical.

The best musical prize ended up going to 12-time nominee The Outsiders.

Merrily We Roll Along: Biggest Snub

The biggest snub of the night was best direction of musical loss for Merrily We Roll Around‘s Maria Friedman, who had been the favorite to win and had been credited with transforming the 1981 flop into a hit revival. Instead, in perhaps an indication of the best musical win, the award went to The Outsiders‘ Dayna Taymor, which has been lauded, in particular for its cinematic fight scenes.

A number of multiple nominees were shut out, including Water for Elephants, which was up for 7 awards, including best musical, and four-time nominees Mother Play, Mary Jane and Here Lies Love.

That scenic design award, presented during the Tonys’ Act One preshow, was the only win for nine-time nominee Cabaret.

Also going home with only one award were five-time nominee Illinoise and six-time nominees Purlie Victorious and An Enemy of the People.

Enemy of the People‘s Jeremy Strong

Another surprise was Will Brill (Stereophonic) win for featured actor in play.