The hit musical “Six” is coming to Seattle.
The newest musical theater sensation features the six wives of Henry VIII in a sassy, high-energy, very modern celebration of girl power. Some are calling it “the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!” (See what they did there?)
A touring production of “Six” will be at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre from July 12-23.
If you haven’t yet heard of “Six,” maybe it’s because the pandemic forced it to shut down before it even got going on Broadway in March 2020. Since finally opening in October 2021, it has been very popular and well reviewed for its costumes, music and attitude. Here’s a taste:
“Six” was the brainchild of Cambridge University students Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, who first staged it at festivals in the United Kingdom with student actors. A professional production in London soon followed, and it’s still playing there in addition to touring.
The music of “Six” has found an enthusiastic audience in tweens and teens, who by extension will learn the history of England’s Henry VIII and fates of his six wives. The show’s website uses “Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived” as a sort of subtitle or motto and also provides a detailed historic rundown of the six women.
Find performance schedules and ticket information here. The show is recommended for ages 10 and up, and the Paramount says no one under 5 will be admitted. There is definitely sexual inuendo and obviously at least the suggestion of death.
In addition: ASL interpreted performance 1 p.m. Sunday, July 23, 2023; open-caption performances 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 16, and 8 p.m. Friday, July 21; AVIA audio-described performance 1 p.m. Sunday, July 16. Details here.
‘1776’ at the Fifth Avenue
A week after “Six” closes, the musical “1776” will open for a five-day run at Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theater.
Here’s what we know about it: “What will it take to get two dozen powerfully passionate, exceedingly complicated, and all-too-human individuals to settle their differences, while they hold the very future of a nation in their hands?”
New York Theatre Guide calls “1776,” first staged in 1969, “the original ‘Hamilton’.” It is on a limited national tour ahead of a Broadway revival planned this fall. It was made into a movie in 1972 and had a previous stage revival in 1997-98. “1776” tells the story of the Second Continental Congress, and John Adams is its main character.
Taking a cue from “Hamilton,” this “1776” revival has “a cast that reflects multiple representations of race, gender, and ethnicity.”
There will be eight showings of “1776” — three matinees, five evening shows — Aug. 2-6 at the Fifth Avenue. Ticket information here.
