Cessy Newmon
On Tuesday, 4/2/24, FSCJ Artist Series brings to the Center for Performing Arts the Broadway Boleyn touring company of SIX.
In an era when women were more property than partner, SIX is derived from stories of the six women who married King Henry VIII. Notorious for his use and abuse of women, SIX takes back these women’s power, telling their story through their eyes, not as victims of circumstance, but victorious despite their circumstance. The message is that whatever your situation, you can rewrite and reclaim your own narrative.
I had the privilege of speaking with Florida native, Ms. Gerianne Pérez, Queen Catharine of Aragon. Aragon was not only Henry’s first wife, but despite an eventual annulment, she was married to Henry longer than any other Queen. She is charming and eloquent, and I didn’t think it possible to be more excited for the show.
“Make sure everyone knows that you don’t need to understand the history of these women to enjoy SIX.” It is unlike most Broadway shows, being more like an arena pop concert (it is loud, so if you’re sensitive, bring earplugs), and the Queens just want everyone to have a good time. Don’t come with preconceptions; there’s something for everyone.
When setting out on their journey to become Queens, Gerianne Pérez (Aragon), Zan Berube (Boleyn), Amina Faye (Seymore), Terica Marie (Cleves), Aline Mayagoitia (Howard), And Adriana Scalice (Parr) were given extensive homework on both the history of their characters as well asl their pop icons. Ms. Pérez said it was hours and hours of research, plus she went into the history of the Spanish region from where Aragon came.
To get into her character, Ms. Pérez does yoga before she loads on heavy makeup, does an extensive vocal warmup, and then dons the 15 pounds suit-of-armor costume in which she sings and dances for 85 minutes. Hers is the heaviest, with some of the other costumes ranging 8-9 pounds. As a group, they gather onstage, take four deep breaths together and say, “I’ve got your back.”
She says it was difficult getting used to wearing such a heavy costume for such an athletic role at first. It also requires a lot of discipline between shows, and it includes a corset, restricting what she can eat pre-show. However, at the end of the day, no matter how she feels before the show opens, the role is empowering, and she always leaves the stage feeling stronger.
I noticed on the cast list that there is a “universal alternate” (Wesley Carpenter). I’ve never seen that term before. Evidently, Ms. Carpenter can not only substitute for four of the queens in the touring company, she can also substitute for four of the queens currently on Broadway. That’s eight variations, as the tour and the NY production are not identical in music or choreography.
This cast has been together for 18 months. That’s 18 months of travel on Monday and shows Tuesday-Saturday. In April, several of this company will be passing their crowns to the next generation of queens. Ms. Pérez says the hardest thing about it is that she’ll be leaving her family. I asked about a fun backstage story, and she shared that the crew sometimes dresses in costumes in the wings for the encore, such as a T-Rex, sharks, or Mr. Incredible.
SIX is limited run April 2-7, 2024, at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary based on show and seating. For tickets, go to fscjartistseries.org or call (904) 632-5000.
by Cessy Newmon
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