The hit Broadway musical “SIX” came to Playhouse Square Nov. 11-16, bringing flashy interpretations of English queens to the Cleveland community.
The show’s story is unconventional, being presented as more of a pop music concert than a singular narrative. The six wives of Henry VIII take turns sharing their stories, each making the case for why she suffered the most. The barrier between the audience and the characters is completely shattered, with the queens addressing the audience directly at various points and calling out the name of the city, much like a concert.
“SIX” is a blast from start to finish. The main focus is the musical numbers, which are all delightful to listen to and brilliant to watch. Each character tells their personal story in the form of tunes that range from irresistibly catchy to deeply emotional. The overtly pop style and frequent use of modern slang might not appeal to everyone, but once these traits are accepted any viewer is sure to have a good time.
The only song that doesn’t work as well is “Get Down,” the solo from Anna of Cleves. It takes on a slow R&B beat, incorporating the melody of the “King of the Castle” nursery rhyme. Not only does this contrast from the other songs that manage to be energetic even when slow and emotional, it does little for Anna’s character outside of showcasing how well-off she was following her divorce from Henry. However, the other songs more than make up for this one.
Tunes such as “All You Wanna Do” and “Don’t Lose Ur Head” do a wonderful job blending historical storytelling with exciting melodies and clever lyrics. The touring cast members brought an infectious energy that all audience members could feel and fully embodied their characters through every number.
In between the songs, the queens share many fun scenes together. Though they start off arguing about who is the best, they come to realize that they shouldn’t be angry at each other, but at the man who hurt them all. Even this anger is resolved, however, as they decide to be known as more than just Henry’s wives. Rather than feeling resentful, the women feel empowered as they take pride in their own attributes independent of their mutual ex-husband.
From the opening number to the curtain call, “SIX” is thrilling. Despite a few weaker moments, the show as a whole is definitely worth a view. Though it is no longer playing in Cleveland, the bulk of the story is communicated through the soundtrack, which is streaming on various platforms. The next time the musical comes around, seeing it live might be, as Katherine Howard says, “all you wanna do.”
