“SIX”

[rating=5] Chicago is a theater community that is adored all over the world. Pre-Broadway shows get their lives here, staged readings produce plays that will grow to become major players in the future and when it comes to theatrical venues, there is no finer facility than the Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier. European companies love to come here and they know that our audiences are thrilled to have them. That being said, with the new addition of  “The Yard”, that flexible venue next to the main stage, they are presenting the North American Premiere ( eat your hearts out Boston and New York) of “Six”, a pop-concert musical depicting the stories of the six ex-wives of King Henry VII. Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, this 80 minute show/concert is full of fun and history mixed together to appeal to audiences of all ages. As I told Jane, you do not have to be a historian to “get it” which she saw as the six fantastic women they have doing this show brought their stories to life.

Best remembered by the popular rhyme, “divorced beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived, the queens now take the stage to tell us more about their lives ( and deaths where fitting) as well as that of their infamous hubby. During this 80 fun-filled minutes we are entertained beyond our wildest dreams and learn a great deal about  them. We are now in a time five hundred years later ,and with women having more power ,they can express themselves to us. The music is supplied by a group called “Ladies in Waiting”, led by Julia Schade. Her three musicians, Kimi Hayes ( guitars), Stacy McMichael ( electric bass), Sarah Allen (drums) will truly rock you! The musicians contractor is Sean McNeeley.

The cast of “Six” is composed of dynamic women. Playing Catherine of Aragon, the powerful Adraina Hicks. As Anne Boleyn, Andrea Macasaet proves that good things come in small packages. This dynamo shows great energy in this role, who lost her head. Chicago favorite ( part of a noble theatrical family in our town) Abby Mueller takes on Jane Seymour, the one who was truly loved by her king, and bore him a son. Anna of Cleves is played to perfection by Brittney Mack. Katherine Howard is played by another of our local actresses, Samantha Pauly, and the last, but not least of these ex-wives is Catheirne Parr ( deftly handled by Anna Uzele. These ladies all have great vocal range and the show is arranged so that each one tells her story with a song that is perfectly fitted to their vocal abilities. One could not ask for better casting.

The production is directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage with great choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingroulle. The technical aspects of the production are more concertlike over theatrical, but the glitz ( Emma Bailey) of the set works, The costumes (Gabriella Slade) are magnificent in every way, filled with style and grace and adding to the character’s development. Roberta Duchak handles the music direction and as always does so with just the right touch. Paul Gatehouse (sound) and Tim Deiling (lighting) are what some might call the “token” men in this production.

The songs are so part of the story that I am not sure they could ever stand on their own. They are “Ex-wives” and “Six” done by all six of our Queens and as I mentioned, each has their own solo telling us “their rest of their story”. This is one to truly find an opportunity to see.

“Six” will continue at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy PIer, thru JUne 20th with performances as follows:

Stage: The Yard

Show Type: Musical- concert

Box Office: 312-595-5600

Tickets range from$32-$62

www.chicagoshakes.com

ASL-DUO Interpretation  June 13th at 7:45 p.m.

Open-Captioning   June 20th  at 7:45 p.m.

Audio Description, June 16th at 3 p.m. OPTIONAL Touch Tour at 1 p.m.

Parking at Navy Pier is discounted if you validate at the theater. The dining spots at Navy Pier will offer specials if you are attending the show as well.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Six”.