“SIX”at the Brooks Atkinson Theater, Saturday, 2pm, March 12th, 2022 Reviewed

How’s this for an idea for a musical?  Take well known historic figures, cast the rolls in a non-traditional way, and write a musical score in a contemporary genre.  What a crazy idea, right?  If you think I’m talking about Six, well I’m actually talking about Hamilton.  But while Hamilton was a three hour work of unsurpassed brilliance, Six is more of a bauble, barely clocking in at an hour and a half.  (No intermission, so plan your bathroom trips accordingly). 

The show started almost before the curtain came up – this was one pumped audience.  The only shows I can remember with such enthusiasm from the crowd were at Hairspray early in the run, and Frank Langella’s Dracula on New Years Eve, when half the audience seemed to be wearing capes.

For those who don’t know, Six follows the story of Henry VIII’s wives,  each trying to convince the audience that she had it the worst.  Lots of breaking the fourth wall, milking applause, clapping to the beat, etc.  The music is provided by a very sharp on stage all-female rock band. (Even the orchestra is beautiful).

There are a few group songs, but most of the show consists of each wife in order telling her story.  The songs, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, are very clever, combining propulsive rock rhythms with deft story-telling.  All of the cast sing very well, but there’s lots of what my wife calls sham dancing.  They do a good job of delineating who’s who and how they came to their respective fates.  The costumes:  Tudor meets sexy French maids meets Xanadu. 

No one performer particularly stands out, and we saw the understudy for Jane Seymour, not that you could tell.  Everyone was good, spirited, and appealing.  When I left Hamilton, I was impressed, moved and inspired,  I was happy to see it a second time.  When I left Six  I was thinking hope the traffic isn’t too bad going home.  This wasn’t a steak dinner that sticks to your ribs, more like a quick dessert that leaves you hungry again an hour later.  It was a tasty dessert, though