Six The Musical

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – SIX:  The Musical

Playwright/s/Composer/s – lyrics, book and music by Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss

Production Company/Theatre space – Kenny Wax, Wendy and Andy Barnes, George Stiles and Kevin McCollum in association with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Broadway Across Canada, The John Ware Organization, Jubilee Auditorium.

Length – 1 Act (1 hour 20 minutes, no intermission.)

Genre– Fantasy musical concert

Premise – The six wives of Henry VIII perform in a rock/pop/rap/ concert/contest that pits them against the other to compete for the title of ‘who had the worst’ upbringing, broken heart, miscarriages, betrayal, and decapitation.

Why this play? Why now? – This show reimagines women who are traditionally seen as victims and reframes their identities (solely related to a male monarch) transforming them into vibrant, empowered, sexy, and triumphant women in this fantasy MTV take on history.

Curiosities – How long before drag queens get the rights to do this show? What would the women have thought of this? I think they’d be pleased.

Notable Moment – The audience’s screams of delight from the very first entrance.

Notable writing – The nine songs comprised of six solos and three ensemble numbers smash 16th century history and pop culture together. Some of it goes by a little fast for those of us not raised on rap and we may have missed a little nuance. Even though it wouldn’t have been at all appropriate, I wanted surtitles in some places. Six won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and a Tony for Best original score.

Notable performances – If you’ve seen the Lady Marmalade video from Moulin Rouge (also being presented by BAC later this season) starring Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim, Mýa

and P!nk then throw in Beyoncè and Rihanna you would have the aesthetic and caliber of the singers in SIX. Danielle Mendoza, Chani Maisonet, Kelly Denice Taylor, Hailey Lewis, Tasia Jungbauer, and Taylor Sage Evans give electrifying performances.

Notable design/Production – Costume Designer Gabriella Slade’s sexy glitter fest pays subtle homage to period corsets, puffed sleeves, and prisoners’ chains. Tim Deiling’s lighting design is stadium worthy.

Notable direction – Directors Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage take a back seat to the outstanding choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille.

One reason to see this show – This goes to prove that Calgary audiences will pack the house for quality shows. They will also enthusiastically dress up to be part of the oeuvre as many spangled outfits, crowns, and ruffs attest.