“SIX” – A Pop-Powered Reign of Queens That Rules the Stage
Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Move over Henry VIII—your exes just stole the spotlight.
“SIX: The Broadway Musical” is an electrifying, 80-minute whirlwind through Tudor history like you’ve never seen before. Think Hamilton if it was filtered through the glitter and glam of American Idol and the top of the Billboard Hot 100. With no intermission and not a single dull moment, SIX takes the six wives of Henry VIII and turns them into a modern pop girl group—each queen bringing her own fierce flavor, iconic musical style, and unapologetic voice to the mic.
Queens of Pop History
The show kicks off with Catherine of Aragon (Chani Maisonet), who channels the powerhouse essence of Beyoncé and Shakira. Her opening number sets the tone: bold, commanding, and dripping in regal defiance. Maisonet delivers a bop that could easily top charts on its own, oozing strength with every note.
Next up is Anne Boleyn (Gaby Albo), arguably the most infamous of the wives, with a punky, tongue-in-cheek number that feels straight out of Avril Lavigne’s early 2000s playbook—with a side of Lily Allen’s cheeky wit. Albo’s performance walks the line between humor and hubris in all the right ways.
Then comes the emotional heart of the show: Jane Seymour, portrayed by a jaw-dropping vocalist who deserves every ovation she receives. Her ballad, inspired by Adele and Sia, is a soul-crushing anthem of love and loss. The vocal performance was so powerful, it gave me goosebumps multiple times. It’s the kind of song that makes time stop in a theater.
A House Beat and a History Lesson
Before the next queen takes the mic, the show cleverly drops a house beat-fueled number about Henry’s “international search” for his next bride. It’s a tongue-in-cheek EDM interlude that showcases just how cleverly the show blends historical context with genre-hopping musical stylings.
Anna of Cleves (Danielle Mendoza) storms in next with a club anthem worthy of Nicki Minaj and Rihanna. This queen isn’t bitter—she’s booked and busy. Mendoza owns the stage with charisma and sass, delivering a number that makes you want to hit the dance floor while also respecting her hustle.
Then comes Katherine Howard (Alize Cruz), whose pop-princess anthem evolves into something far deeper. What begins as a sugary Ariana Grande-style bop slowly unravels into a haunting reflection on trauma and abuse. Alize’s performance is nuanced and gut-wrenching, using not just her voice but subtle, intentional choreography to communicate the gravity of Katherine’s story. Chef’s kiss.
Finally, the survivor: Catherine Parr (Tasia Jungbauer). Her number, echoing Alicia Keys and Emeli Sandé, is a soulful declaration of autonomy and purpose. Jungbauer brings a grounded grace to the stage, reminding us that surviving is a form of rebellion all its own.
Long Live the Queens
The finale is a unified mic-drop moment as the queens band together to reframe their legacy—not as Henry’s footnotes, but as the reason we still talk about him. Their harmonized message is clear: they are not defined by the king, but by their stories, their strength, and their sisterhood.
In just 80 minutes, SIX takes the audience on a genre-bending emotional rollercoaster—one that had me laughing out loud, tearing up, and wanting to dance all at once. With no intermission and no time wasted, this musical is a concentrated shot of sass, power, and historical redemption.
Final Verdict: 10/10.
You’ll leave the theater not just entertained, but enlightened—and humming at least six different songs. Long live the queens. 👑