Our exclusive review of Broadway’s award-winning Six: The Musical
I caught this play, and let me spill the tea on it.
Six: The Musical is a fierce journey into the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives, presented as a pop concert showdown. The queens, vying for the title of who had it worse with Henry, spill the royal tea on their marriages.
Catherine of Aragon kicks things off, detailing Henry’s attempts to annul their union for Anne Boleyn. Anne, in turn, throws shade on Henry’s infidelity, adding a touch of humor to mask her pain. Despite facing criticism for an apparently smooth marriage, Jane Seymour reveals the conditional nature of Henry’s love.
The narrative is satirical in Hans Holbein’s portrait studio, parodying a dating app. Anna of Cleves gets the spotlight but is swiftly rejected by Henry for not living up to her “profile picture.” She hilariously brags about her posh lifestyle, eventually dropping out when her troubles seem more like boasts.
Katherine Howard, dubbed “the least relevant Catherine,” claps back, exposing the flaws in others’ claims. Her story unveils the dark side of her romantic history, shedding light on emotional trauma and abuse.
As the queens bicker over who suffered the most, Catherine Parr interrupts, questioning the point of the competition. She emphasizes her achievements apart from Henry, sparking a realization that defining themselves by their connection to him diminishes their individuality.
In a decisive moment, the queens reject the competition, asserting they don’t need Henry’s love for validation. Together, they rewrite their stories, envisioning ‘happily ever afters’ without Henry.
The finale, “Six”, is a spirited anthem and the mashup of earlier songs to add a final touch of glam.
Six: The Musical is a dazzling mix of history, humor, and girl power. The queens’ journey from rivalry to solidarity is refreshing and challenges stereotypes. With the queens rewriting their narratives, Six: The Musical is a must-watch for those seeking a unique spin on historical tales with a modern, empowering twist.
I hope this gives you the lowdown on Six!
You can catch Six: The Musical at The Orpheum Theater in Memphis, TN through Sunday, November 26th.
