“Six” Teaches An Entertaining History At The Fisher Theatre
At the beginning of The Six, Henry VIII's six painted wives promise that "history will change soon" and that they might get a break in the process.
Oh, and make this your story too!
Running through June 11 at Detroit's Fisher Theater, the Tony Award-winning production deftly synthesizes, elaborates, and places the legends of the 16th-century Kings in a modern, post-#meto... context that fits like a ring on a finger. Lots of laughs, funny or not. Created and brought to life by the British, six (natch) is not traditional music, but a pop concert and history lesson with the Spice Girls or your favorite KPop group as your tutor. It's certainly bigger (and probably more memorable) than learning everything from Wikipedia.
"Six" is energy in abundance. Running just under 80 minutes and in just one act, the show plays from start to finish ("MegaSix" as an encore no less) and never stops. Six is both a "group" and a show, and the queens seem to be competing to see who has had the worst experience with Henry and should therefore be the leader of the group until the last woman, Catherine Parr, be "saved". (yes, it includes a touch of Destiny's Child) tells the truth and real background. It unites them in a brotherhood that takes their collective power.
The message is heartfelt and relevant to our times, but humbly presented and by writers Toby Marlowe and Lucy Moss, it never feels pretentious or preachy.
Much of Six's success, of course, depends on the cast, and Fisher Tour Company is no weak link, starting with Six, a group of four will take up the entire stage. Each of the queens is inspired by today's pop heroes: Catalina de Aragón, Beyoncé, Jennifer López and Jennifer Hudson, Ana Boleyn, Miley Cyrus, Avril Lavigne and Lily Allen, among others. - Everyone has their own signature song, but the actors involved perform them. The characters themselves—college grad Alexandra “Zan” Berube, for example—plays Valley Girl-seed Bolin, while Wolverine's Aline Maiagoitia makes plenty of self-righteous faces at Kathryn Howard. (Incidentally, both characters had their throats slit, suggesting the casting director may have been an Ohio State fan.)
Best of all is Terika Marie Anna von Cleve, a woman Heinrich rejects because the first portrait he sees is more attractive than she appears in person. Watching Rihanna and Nicki Minaj, it's Marie's "Get Down" scene, where her performance is a mix of bravado and vulnerability, conveying Anna's pain and anger in a moment that speaks for itself. Fear of queens
However, all ten songs are set up and the resulting chemistry is evident in each song. Of particular interest is the Holbein House, which tells the story of Henry's trip to see the portraits painted by Hans Holbein (the younger). The performance is a cleverly planned switch between scenes, within a "half hour" show scene.
"Six" gives Henry VIII's queens a voice of their own
As any good pop concert should, Six ends with the title track and a little confetti show. What you take from Queens or Seasonal Secrets is a personal choice; if you want it, sure it is, but at least know that it's a guaranteed good time.
Six runs through June 11 at the Fisher Theatre, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit. 313-872-1000 or broadwayindetroit.com
Macomb dream home. Harrison Township. Living in a water wonderland
The shooting of a Chesterfield police officer has sparked outrage
The Avon Players present the first day of the musical
Ready for Roxy? A new Rochester City Center is opening soon.