NEW YORK CITY — Yes, this is the second time I have reviewed a production of Six, and far more than the second time I have seen a production of Six. Why would I choose to end my weekend of theatre going to come back to the queen sensation that we all know I already like by Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow?
As the show says in one of its final numbers, it is truly one of a kind, fitting in no category. Lasting only 80 minutes without an intermission, there are many who have tried to argue that it does not fit the definition of theatre, or is not worth the broadway experience. Why is it then that audiences continue to return (including yours truly), and there are strong North American tours, it continues to last in its home in London, tour the UK, Ireland, Singapore, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, China, and Japan?
This being my third time walking into the Lena Horne Theatre to see this story, one of the things that gives Six staying power is the ability of the story to be told by different people that personify the characters of history that they embody. The cast that I got to see was Khaila Wilcoxon as Catherine of Aragon, alternate Jenny Mollett filling in as Anne Boleyn, Jasmine Forsberg as Jane Seymour, Olivia Donalson as Anna of Cleves, Didi Romero as Katherine Howard, and Gabriela Carrillo as Catherine Parr. There were a few things about this time at the Six experience that stood out to me, the first one being watching Mollett as Boleyn. The alternates in the ‘Queendom’ need to be ready to go on with whatever queen is necessary. Sometimes I do not know where my keys are, yet these queens know how to put on a fantastic show and play whatever character they are supposed to play in front of adoring fans who have dressed up as their favorite queen! And yes, I saw many Anne Boleyns in my audience, so Mollett had her work cut out for her. She was phenomenal, did not miss a beat, and one would never know that she did not play Boleyn every day. Each of the other queens also deserve a shout out, but I do have a word count limit. Romero as Howard was haunting with the reminder that fun and cute on the surface often hides a lot of pain. Donalson as Cleves was a powerful badass that we all aspire to be. Forsberg as Seymour had vocals I can only dream of. Wilcoxon as Howard added so much sass and whit that I saw her character in a new light, and Carrillo as Parr brings together the story so well that yes I still tear up.
The next thing I noticed was the amazing staff at the Lena Horne. There was a lovely family that had brought a group of girls for a birthday party, turning six at Six (I KNOW! I so would have done that if my daughters were younger.) At the end of the show, one of the ushers led these girls to the end of the stage, and the queens took turns during the final number giving all these little queens high fives. Now, this may not be your ‘traditional’ theatrical experience, but these girls will remember it forever, and they also got a great lesson in history.
Something my husband pointed out, why don’t the musicians have bios in the playbill? Especially in a show this small, with the ladies in waiting as they are called here, they are on the stage the whole time, have character names, and have contributed so much to the show over the years that they deserve to have that recognition. I know for sure that Elena Bonomo on drums and Julia Schade as the conductor and keyboardist have been with the show since it opened, and the others may have been as well. The live music and their presence is such a joy to this production.
One thing that is very exciting to those of us not near the city or one of the many tour stops is the new Six Teen Editions popping up in the schools in our areas. As I have been able to see the show in London, Boston, New York (a few times), on a cruise ship (a few times), and on tour in Phoenix and Salt Lake City, I have been thrilled to see just how many different talented women can take the stories of these women in her-story and help us understand that we should be telling the stories of women, reclaiming the stories of women. As I said in my review of Suffs, school theatrical programs usually have more girls than boys, and Six teen edition opens up another way to get more of our young talent on the stage. I can’t wait to see how our talented educator/directors help guide these talented ladies to be one of a kind, no category. I sure hope that the teachers out there also have an opportunity to include live musicians as part of the teen edition, because I have a drummer lady in waiting ready to participate in a teen edition for whatever director is ready for her. Six is an inspiration. I love that it has found a global audience and a way to take back the microphone. Theatre does not have to be traditional or follow a formula. Theatre is here to tell a story. Six does that in so many ways. Thank you, Queens, yet again, for letting me be a part of your Queendom.
