Cessy Newmon
On Tuesday SIX, THE MUSICAL opened at the Performing Arts Center as part of the FSCJ Artist Series. This show lives up to hype around it. It is 80 minutes of high-energy entertainment that will have your eyes glued to the stage.
Without giving away fun twists to this unique show, its basis it’s based on the wives of King Henry the XIII, and that many people know something about them, but not the names of the wives of most of other Kings of England. Instead of talking about their individual histories , here is a snapshot of Henry’s Queens:
Catharine of Aragon warrants special note not mentioned in the show (except the first marriage). She was first married to Henry’s older brother, Arthur, who died six months after their marriage and never became king. Four years after her marriage to Henry, for six months in 1513, she served as Regent of England while Henry was in France (meaning she was the ruling monarch). While Edward, Henry’s son with Seymore, became King of England, because Edward died with no children, Aragon’s daughter, Mary, became the first Queen of England.
The women portraying these Queens is an ensemble of mega talent. Each takes a turn singing about her story with her own unique style. There is no way to talk about any single talent in this cast, because they performed as a single unit, seamlessly transitioning between lead and backup singers. The band, also all female, is onstage, and they make it sound like twice the number of musicians performing.
This particular touring company has been together for 18 months, with several from this cast/crew transitioning out later this month. The cast for the Jacksonville production is: Gerianne Pérez (Aragon), Zan Berube (Boleyn), Amina Faye (Seymore), Terica Marie (Cleves), Aline Mayagoitia (Howard), And Adriana Scalice (Parr).
The choreography has these women moving while singing for almost the entire show. The costumes complement by making the women look like battle-ready rock stars.
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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