“Six” began at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017 and then moved to London’s Arts Theatre, opening on Dec. 18, 2017. “Six” had its North American premiere at The Yard at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on May 14, 2019. It was announced that it would transfer to Broadway, with most of the Chicago cast, on Feb. 13, 2020. It was scheduled to open on March 12, 2020. The opening was canceled just hours before the show was to take place, due to the COVID lockdown. It finally opened on Broadway on Oct. 3, 2021. “Six” has since become a global sensation, touring all over the world, while continuing productions on Broadway, in London’s West End and Australia.
“Six” tells the story of the six wives of Henry VIII, as a modern-day pop concert. The group’s lead singer will be the queen that has endured the most suffering because of Henry. Each of the six queens take turns singing their stories.
“Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.” This is a mnemonic device to remember the fates of the six wives of Henry VIII, it is put to good use in the musical. The catchy rock score by Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow has very clever lyrics that tell the story of the wives. “Six” deservedly won the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music & Lyrics) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.
“Six” also won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design for Gabriella Slade. Another very deserved award for very original costume design.
The queens have all been amazing. They recently underwent a cast change and three original queens are still with the Broadway production. Andrea Macasaet plays Anne Boleyn, arguably the most famous and well-known of Henry’s wives. The big-voiced Brittany Mack plays Anne of Cleves. The queen scene stealer is Samantha Pauly, whose powerhouse vocals are stunning. She plays Katherine Howard, one of Henry’s least known wives. Perhaps not anymore, for Samantha’s performance is brilliant, you will remember Katherine Howard.
This musical is also about female empowerment. These women are not just the wives of Henry VIII, they are also queens. “Six” is a very entertaining and fun show!
Brooks Atkinson Theatre
256 West 47th St.
New York, NY 10036
