“Six: The Musical” starts out strong and never lets up.
The show – more a high-energy pop concert than a typical Broadway musical – focuses on the six wives of England’s notorious 16th century ruler, Henry VIII. It’s the latest Broadway offering at the Providence Performing Arts Center.
“Six” opens with the curtains parting and as stage fog billows out, each queen enters, silhouetted from behind, hands on hips, then striking a pose.
The curtains rise to reveal four band members on a platform. They are the Ladies in Waiting – one on keyboards, one on guitars, one on bass, one of drums. They remain on stage, playing all the show’s music, throughout.
Each queen uses a hand-held microphone, a departure from the typical theatrical microphones that are taped to performers’ faces or under a wig, powered by a battery pack buried in their costumes. That adds to the concert feel.
The opening number (“Ex-Wives”) tells you each queen’s fate. “Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived.”
I’m not giving anything away. After all, it’s history. Or in this case, as they sing, “herstory.”
Each queen gets to present a musical argument to explain why she had the worst time as Henry’s wife.
Catherine of Aragon (Emma Elizabeth Smith) laments about Henry’s desire to push her aside for another (Anne Boleyn), and his request for an annulment.
Anne Boleyn (Nella Cole) sings “Don’t Lose Your Head” about her experience with Henry, which famously ends with her beheading.
Jane Seymour (Kelly Denice Taylor) is the queen he truly loved, perhaps because she provided him with a male heir. Her rendition of “Heart of Stone” is a touching, heartfelt ballad, performed beautifully.
Henry picked Anne of Cleves (Hailey Alexis Lewis) as his next queen after seeing her portrait but was not happy after meeting her in person.
Katherine Howard (Alize Cruz) is called the “least relevant Katherine” by one of the other queens, sings “All You Wanna Do” about her romantic involvements with men dating back to when she was 13. It was her past with these men – and her current involvement with one of Henry’s servants – that led to her demise.
Finally, Catherine Parr (Tasia Jungbauer), the queen who saw Henry “to the end of his life.” Her song – “I Don’t Need Your Love” – recounts a letter she wrote to another, ending their relationship so she could marry Henry is gorgeously heart-breaking.
Each queen has a spotlight moment, so it’s hard to say one was better than the other.
The entire production sizzles. Dazzling lights, precise choreography, amazing harmonies.
See “Six: The Musical,” and I’m certain it will rank among your favorite theater experiences. Ever.
“Six: The Musical” runs through Sunday, October 26 at the Providence Performing Arts Center. For tickets and information, call the box office at 401.421.ARTS or visit www.ppacri.org.
