Henry VIII’s “Six” Wives Dazzle the Saenger Theatre

Emma Elizabeth Smith As Catherine Of Aragon in “Six.” Photo by Joan Marcus

With a minimalist set accented by a modernist neon nod to Gothic-style architecture and rock-n-roll costumes, the show “Six” is presented uniquely as an American Idol-style medieval history lesson about the six wives of Henry VIII, most of whom are relegated to forgotten footnotes in dusty books – in order, Catherine of Aragon (Emma Elizabeth Smith), Anne Boleyn (Nella Cole), Jane Seymour (Kelly Denice Taylor), Anna of Cleves (Hailey Alexis Lewis), Katherine Howard (Alize Vruz) and Catherine Parr (Tasia Jungbauer).

The all-female cast and literal band of “Ladies in Waiting” (Valeire Maze, Yonit Spiegelman, Rose Laguana and Camila Mennitte Pereyra) successfully presents their stories in pop culture music with each spouse infusing the persona of a contemporary star, from Beyonce and Alicia Keys to Adele and Avril Lavigne. The famed king’s mostly-deceased spouses present the solidified women-power message (“Six”) even as jealous rivalries flare up with respect to which of them had the worst marriage to the famed monarch (“Ex-Wives”).

They agree to resolve the dispute by engaging the audience to decide for themselves. The result is a kind of fun post-mortem “Bachelorette” banter, complete with asides. Unusual but effective in educating and entertaining the audience in song and modern dance. And, yes, it works.

All the wives acknowledge the historical name recognition and popularity of the famously beheaded Anne Boleyn—Ann herself, most of all {“Don’t Lose your Head”). Characterized as a social-media influencer who was “unfriended” by her husband, she hilariously presents her side of the treasonous story. But determining the “winner” is far from easy. Each queen presents a compelling story with powerful voices.

Younger audience members will recognize frequent pop-star references. Mature patrons will slyly chuckle at the clever plays on words and double entendres, especially married and/or divorced women.

All performers playing the wives of Henry VIII are appropriately on equal footing on stage, complementing without overshadowing the others, best demonstrated when the ensemble performs “Haus of Holbein” as the thrice-married king looked to Germany for queen number four, Anna of Cleves.

The creative team of Marlow & Moss’s (Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss) writing is engaging. But “Get Down” performed by Anna of Cleves and “I Don’t Need Your Love” are themselves standouts.

While some of the song’s lyrics may be hard to understand through some of the high-energy numbers for those unfamiliar with the queens’ histories, the encore program provides an informative cheat sheet in the centerfold to bring audiences up to speed.

“Six” is a concert-style show that works as a perfect French Quarter Fest nightcap or an alternative for weekend matinees.

“Six” is playing at the Saenger Theatre through Sunday, April 19.