{"id":361557,"date":"2024-11-14T11:09:52","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T16:09:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=361557"},"modified":"2024-11-14T11:09:52","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T16:09:52","slug":"smash-hit-musical-six-returns-to-the-national-theatre-a-rollicking-good-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/11\/14\/smash-hit-musical-six-returns-to-the-national-theatre-a-rollicking-good-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Smash-hit musical ‘Six’ returns to the National Theatre a rollicking good time"},"content":{"rendered":"

The crowd-pleasing encore engagement of Six <\/em>roars into the National Theater giving DC the party we knew we needed but didn\u2019t have an invite to! This Tony-winning musical \u201chisto-remix\u201d \u2014 staged as a singing competition \u2014 has it all: spectacular choreography, eye-popping costumes, exceptional music and sound, stand-out scenic and lighting design. As well as six sensational performers who are sexy, sassy, sharp, and sure.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the show\u2019s no-holds-barred reclaiming of the narrative we all learned about the wives of Tudor King Henry VIII is a resonant message of female empowerment that elevates Six <\/em>from a mere pop concert entertainment romp through history, or herstory, though highly entertaining it is. Hands down, it\u2019s a veritable explosion of exuberance and a rollicking good time!<\/p>\n

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The North American Tour Boleyn Company of \u2018Six.\u2019 Photo by Joan Marcus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The \u201cSix\u201d of course are Queens Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr. They open the performance by announcing their fates in sequence \u2014 \u201cDivorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the first \u201cHello DC\u201d to the curtain call when we were on our feet whooping and stomping approval, the phenomenally talented and diverse cast portraying these diva queens held the audience in the palms of their hands as they set the record straight about who they really were and how they ended up. To begin, the queens tell the audience that whomever it decides fared the worst as Henry VIII wife gets to lead the band, who are naturally the Ladies in Waiting. Then each sings her story of doom, each attempting to outwoe her rivals. They are more than ably served by a powerhouse book, music, and lyrics by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss.<\/p>\n

First up is Catherine of Aragon (Chani Maisonet). The program lists her queenspirations as Beyonce and Shakira. Maisonet\u2019s rendition of \u201cNo Way\u201d establishes the show\u2019s defiant attitude. When she sings that there\u2019s no way and she won\u2019t back down, it\u2019s an anthem, a rallying cry directed to Henry as much as to Anne Boleyn, one of Catherine\u2019s ladies in waiting. I dare you to stop singing the chorus.<\/p>\n

Boleyn (Gaby Albo) takes center stage next with \u201cDon\u2019t Lose Ur Head.\u201d Throughout the show, Albo provides a playful counterpart to her true grim storyline of beheading by continually reminding the other ex-wives that she lost her head. In a serious\/not-serious vein, she asks, \u201cWhat was I meant to do?\u201d when they are disbelieving how she became wife number two.<\/p>\n

Next in line is Jane Seymour (Kelly Denice Taylor). The program lists her queenspiration as Adele and Sia, and indeed her aching delivery on \u201cHeart of Stone\u201d hits the mark. She empties her heart and soul into the song. She makes you feel what she is feeling.<\/p>\n

Wife number four is Anna of Cleves, also known as Anne of Cleeves. Danielle Mendoza owns the role and the audience with her turn. She flirts with the audience in \u201cGet Down,\u201d coyly singing the refrain, \u201cI\u2019m the queen of the castle,\u201d while channeling queenspirations Nicki Minaj and Rihanna, stripping down to a bodysuit, and gyrating suggestively. In fact, one audience member was so stirred that he rose from his seat and danced along for a bit. Who could blame him?<\/p>\n

Katherine Howard (Aliz\u00e9 Cruz) was cutting and sarcastic, mocking the other ex-wives before launching into \u201cAll You Wanna Do,\u201d a song in the style of Brittany Spears or Ariana Grande. Ironically, her display of self-assured sexuality sells her song of double entendres about the men in her life only wanting her body.<\/p>\n

Finally there\u2019s Katherine Parr (Tasia Jungbauer), who rounds out the group with \u201cI Don\u2019t Need Your Love\u201d \u00e0 la Alicia Keyes. She emerges as a voice urging common sisterhood that takes the show to new heights and sets up a satisfying finale to the dueling suffering.<\/p>\n

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The North American Tour Boleyn Company of \u2018Six.\u2019 Photo by Joan Marcus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It’s easy to simply enjoy the catchy songs that sample rap, electronica, ballads, pop, hip hop, punk, and a blending of genres. They are uniformly party-ready. I danced in my seat. (I wasn\u2019t alone.) But my real pleasure was found in the witty lyrics and the wordplay that modernized historical references in each queen\u2019s story. Hearing contemporary phraseology like unfriending, profile pictures, and sorry\/not-sorry does more than update and translate outdated speech for the modern ear. It demonstrates relevancy to today and the importance of claiming one\u2019s narrative and speaking it, or risking it being told for you.<\/p>\n

Speaking of the songs, I\u2019d be remiss if I didn\u2019t call out the exceptional sound design by Paul Gatehouse and orchestration by Tom Curran. Additionally, I applaud the musical versatility and rockin\u2019 playing by the band aka The Ladies in Waiting. Take a bow, Lizzie Webb, music director\/keyboard; Emily Davies, bass; Rose Laguana, guitars; and Camilla Mennitte Pereyra, drums.<\/p>\n

The production is also exceptional for other design elements. Gabriella Slade\u2019s costumes perfectly outfitted each ex-wife specific to her story and attitude and enhanced the story each told about themselves. While each of them had a rock star look, each rhinestone, bustier, jacket, miniskirt, or over-the-knee boots sold that queen\u2019s story. Each costume detail amplified it, such as the chokers worn by the beheaded queens. I also loved the hip holsters where the queens stashed their microphones. Practical genius.<\/p>\n

Carrie-Anne Ingrouille\u2019s choreography is masterful as well. The routines are amazing. Indeed, the choreography surely accounts for the global juggernaut that is Six<\/em>. Since its debut, Six<\/em> has become a phenomenal must-see around the world. Hats off to Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss for this inspirational creation capturing a genie in a bottle. All credit is due. Everybody should see this touring production. Its message of empowerment is one we can all use.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t we all deserve a dose of joy right now?<\/p>\n