In our history lessons we know that Henry the VIII had six wives. Some of which he beheaded in order to take another wife.  We have never heard the history told from the point of view of the wives.

The North American Tour Aragon Company of SIX. Photo by Joan Marcus (A0130r)

We now have our chance in SIX THE MUSICAL.  In the opening number “Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived” the six wives, Catherine of Aragon (Khaila Wilcoxon), Anne Boleyn (Storm Lever), Jane Seymour (Jasmine Forsberg), Katherine Howard (Didi Romero) and Catherine Parr (Gabriela Carrillo) tell their story of their lives, how they came to be a wife, and how their relationships ended.

Khaila Wilcoxon as Catherine of Aragon (center) in The North American Tour Aragon Company of SIX. Photo by Joan Marcus

With the help of the Ladies in Waiting all female band, the wives sing, dance, compete on which wife had suffered the most while married to the King.

The voices are phenomenal and the stamina of the show refreshing.

Olivia Donalson as Anna of Cleves (center) in The North American Tour Aragon Company of SIX. Photo by Joan Marcus (A0313r)

From the writing of Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow, the direction of Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, Gabriella Slade’s futuristic costume design, and Joe Beighton’s Music Supervision, the audience is engaged with hand clapping, dancing, and laughter throughout the 80-minute production.  It also gives an insight to who these women were before, and after their marriages.  It suddenly made them human and not just discards of a selfish King.

The North American Tour Aragon Company of SIX. Photo by Joan Marcus (A0001r)

Bringing history into the present with references to cell phones, Beyonce, and online dating, is so relatable and fresh.

Even though I had two of the tallest men in Chicago sitting in front of me I had one of my best times at the Theatre in a long time.

This is truly a 5 out of 5 winks of the EYE.

Visit www.broadwayinchicago.com for more information on the SIX THE MUSICAL!

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!