You may think you know the story of King Henry VIII’s six wives – Catherine of Aragon, annulled; Anne Boleyn, beheaded; Jane Seymour, died; Anne of Cleves, annulled; Catherine Howard, beheaded and finally Catherine Parr, who outlived the King – but do you really?
You’ll discover the back stories of the wives as they take the microphone to remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into a celebration of 21st century girl power in the Tony Award -winning musical phenomenon SIX The Musical, playing Altria Theater November 7 to November 12.
The show’s creators, Toby Marlowand Lucy Moss, devised the original concept and started writing SIX when they were students at Cambridge University in early 2017. The show eventually went to Broadway, winning twenty-three awards in the 2021/2022 Broadway season, including the Tony for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics).
Who Should See SIX The Musical and Why You’ll Love It!
Wisconsin native Courtney Mack plays Catherine Parr in the electrifying – think rock concert – production. She’s been with the show since the U.S. premiere in Chicago.
“We have an all-woman cast, which you don’t really get to see that often. This show isn’t your typical musical theatre show. It’s more like a concert with no intermission,” she says.
The show features comedic, empowering, and heartfelt moments. The history lessons that unfold are shared in a unique way.
“We have a little something for everybody,” says Mack. “It’s just fun. It’s an exciting show.”
The character she plays, Catherine Parr, is Henry’s sixth and last wife. She was with Henry when he passed away. “She adds a little twist in the show,” says Mack. “It’s very empowering. She brings the group of ladies together in a different way. She is a survivor of the group.”
Catherine is a “pretty chill character – until she has something to say,” says Mack. “I see that a lot in myself as well. I am a low-maintenance person. I am pretty easy going, and she is as well.”
Essentially the show boils down to a competition between the six queens to see which was dealt the worst hand by Henry. “You get the full story of each woman’s life before and after,” Mack says.
Each queen is based off of modern-day female performers – think Beyoncé , Avril Lavigne, Adele, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, and Sara Bareilles.
“We chose what to take from the modern-day world, what we deem as our queen in the real word and take that on. What fits our personas,” Mack says.
The show, which has a minimal set and an onstage band, also has some adult humor, which goes over the kids’ heads, Mack says. “I don’t think there is anything wildly inappropriate for young kids. Many kids come and love it.”
SIX the Musical is showing at Altria Theater, November 12 through 17, and is recommended for ages ten and up. The show is eighty minutes long with no intermission. For showtimes, tickets, and information about entering the digital lottery to purchase discounted tickets, visit BroadwayinRichmond.com.
