By Michele Markarian
“Six” by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. Directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage. Presented by American Repertory Theater, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, through September 29.
Last May, in London and desperate for some theater on a Sunday afternoon, I blindly bought what was the last ticket to a show in the West End called “Six”. I had low expectations about a musical revue performed by Henry VIII’s wives, but my seatmate, a young man from Italy, told me in an authoritative tone, “You will LOVE it. It is SO much fun. This is my second time seeing it.” Sure I will, I thought, but eighty minutes later, with a few glittery strands of gold foil stuck to my hair and in my purse, the young man had been right. I called my husband and fellow Tudor buff the next day to tell him what a fantastic show it had been. “I think it’s playing in Chicago,” I said. “Should we go? I want to see it!” he asked. Luckily, we didn’t have to, because American Repertory Theater, in association with the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, is producing this smart, funny and wildly entertaining show in Cambridge.
Henry’s six wives are a girl group, modeled after modern-day pop divas and backed by an all-female band, The Ladies in Waiting. The Queens are competing to be leader of the girl group. This will be determined by which one has been treated the most horribly by the King. Each Queen makes her case with a song, and the volume of audience applause will be the meter of her success. Which is not as contrived as it sounds, for the contest devolves into something else entirely. Originally created by two young Cambridge (UK, not MA) classmates for the Edinburgh Fringe, “Six” is historically on point, while peppered with clever anachronisms (Anna of Cleves, for example, makes reference to not living up to her profile pic). Even if you’ve never heard of Henry VIII or his six wives, you will be thoroughly entertained by this 80-minute show, with its talented cast and memorable score. It’s not often one walks out of a new musical with the ability to hum one of its offerings, but this is exactly what the composers of “Six” present us with.
The talented cast, who function as a terrific ensemble as well as shining individually, deliver personality and exceptional vocal chops. The convincing Adrianna Hicks, who gets my vote for most maligned Queen, rocks out with the catchy “No Way”. Andrea Macasaet is adorable as the insouciant Anne Boleyn. Abby Mueller, as Jane Seymour, soars with the heartbreaking ballad, “Heart of Stone”. Brittney Mack, an amazing ball of energy, exhibits, as Anna of Cleves, amazing vocal range in the hilarious number, “Get Down”. Katherine Howard, played affectively by Courtney Mack, delivers the most poignant song of the show, “All You Wanna Do.” Anna Uzele, as Catherine Parr, unifies the women with beauty and dignity. Gabriella Slade’s costume design, a fabulous blend of period and contemporary styling, and Tim Deiling’s dramatic lighting design help create the pop concert experience.
The audience was with these funny and fierce females the entire show, erupting with cheers and applause at key moments. As a female, it’s a very empowering show without being in-your-face, and certainly the most invigorating thing that’s happened to theater since “Hamilton”. So get your tickets now! If you’re lucky, you may be able to squeeze in two showings! As for me, well, a friend may have an extra ticket for next week, and I’d see it again in a heartbeat. For tickets and information, go to: https://americanrepertorytheater.org/shows-events/six/
