Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Six (4*)


Had I done my homework (or read the Playbill!) I would have had a much greater appreciation of Six: The Musical, Broadway's rollicking assertion of female empowerment that also can be seen on cruise ships.  My dim recall of Hilary Mantel's vibrant Wolf Hall trilogy provided enough information about Henry VIII's first four wives, but I remain clueless about Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr, the last two, although both actresses (Aryn Bohannon and Gabriela Carrillo) perform vividly.

Despite my ignorance, watching their take on Anna of Cleves more than proves that Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss have contemporized Tudor history to show online daters how to get even, not mad.  Henry rejected his fourth wife (and intended political alliance) when Anna didn't look like her portrait (by Hans Holbein no less).  Winking at the queen's Germanic heritage, Olivia Donalson appears to commanding the techno dance floor at Berghain even as she sings about all the perks solitary castle life provides.  

Anne Boleyn's decapitation jokes are just as amusing as the six wives compete among themselves for the title of queen who suffered most during their marriages to merry old England's most famous king.  Henry is probably more widely known for their number than the religious schism he caused to marry Anne who, prior to her beheading, gave birth to the consequential Elizabeth I. 

Still, history is irrelevant when Jasmine Forsberg, a vocal powerhouse playing Jane Seymour, the only queen to marry for love, takes the stage and belts "Heart of Stone."   Thom said he'd see the show a second time just to hear the song again.  This stand alone show-stopper ranks up there with Chiffon's other favorite torch songs from Broadway musicals: 

"My Man" (Funny Girl)

"What Did I Have That I Don't Have" (On A Clear Day You Can See Forever)

"If He Walked Into My Life"  (Mame)

"I Don't Know How To Love Him" (Jesus Christ Superstar) 

"I Know Him So Well" (Chess)

"Heart of Stone" (Six)

Did someone say playlist?  For queens of all ages and genders!

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