REVIEW: ‘Six: The Musical’ is royal entertainment with an important message
Photo: Adrianna Hicks, center, stars with Brittney Mack, Andrea Macasaet, Anna Uzele and Samantha Pauly in Six: The Musical. Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus / Provided by BBB with permission.
NEW YORK — Six: The Musical has a remarkable story of rebirth behind its Broadway debut. The show, which retells the story of the six wives of Henry VIII, was set to open in March 2020, but then the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted its theatrical plans and canceled the show indefinitely. This reviewer caught it back then, but didn’t write a review because there was no longer an audience to see the pop-star singing of these talented performers.
Now the cast and crew are back on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, and they are having a royal good time. The characters — Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr — each get a turn in the spotlight and sing about their life, their background and their tragic outcome after marrying the king. Infused throughout the narratives is a wonderful feminism that rights historical wrongs and centers these real-life individuals as protagonists in their own stories.
The show is a blast, through and through. Its 85 minutes fly by, feeling less like a dry history lesson and more like an anthem of reckoning resurgence, a powerful call for equality, respect and womanhood.
At a recent performance this reviewer caught, Adrianna Hicks played Catherine of Aragon, while Andrea Macasaet played Anne Boleyn. Rounding out the cast were Mallory Maedke as Jane Seymour, Brittney Mack as Anna of Cleves, Courtney Mack as Katherine Howard and Anna Uzele as Catherine Parr. (Abby Mueller normally plays Jane Seymour, and Samantha Pauly normally plays Katherine Howard).
The hard-working cast, wearing Gabrielle Slade’s glistening outfits of punkish pop queendom, take center stage and belt out wonderfully catchy songs with super-amplification. The tunes make the evening feel like a concert, which is appropriate given that the queens hold hand microphones and boost the crowd’s enthusiasm with shoutouts.
There’s no getting around the infectiousness of the opening number, “Ex-Wives,” which is a pulsating, energy-creating song that perfectly sets the mood for the night. Other highlights include “No Way,” Catherine of Aragon’s time in the spotlight, and the pop-punk rocker “Don’t Lose Ur Head” by Anne Boleyn.
Of the performers, Hicks is a marvel as Catherine of Aragon, completely selling “No Way” and its musical splendor. It was also a joy to watch Mack as Anna of Cleves. She has a particular way of working with the audience, ensuring they are following along, clapping and enjoying their time. It’s a funny, brave and big performance that encompasses the entire Brooks Atkinson Theatre; she has the crowd in her hand for the entire duration of the show.
Six: The Musical features music, lyrics and book by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss (Moss also co-directs with Jamie Armitage), and it feels like the show is a labor of their love. They are exquisite songwriters who give representation and power to the female leads. Accenting the work is Carrie-Anne Ingrouille’s choreography, set very much in the style of music videos.
Pop music and its resulting shiny bright entertainment might not feel like one’s cup of English breakfast tea, but give it a chance. Underneath the star power and concert-feel of the narrative are six women reclaiming their spots in the history books, singing their hearts out about who they are, how they’ve overcome life’s struggles and how they’d love to be crowned queen.
These women have something to sing about, and they deserve Broadway’s attention … and the Tony.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Six: The Musical, with music, lyrics and book by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, is now playing Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Directed by Moss and Jamie Armitage. Starring Adrianna Hicks, Andrea Macasaet, Abby Mueller, Brittney Mack, Samantha Pauly and Anna Uzele. Running time: 85 minutes. Click here for more information and tickets.
