NYC: SIX the Musical on Broadway

SIX turns the six wives of Henry VIII into pop stars, then lets them fight for the spotlight. The result is an 80-minute concert-style musical with sharp humor, big songs, and six women reclaiming identities that history often reduces to marriage and tragedy.

I like the all-female cast and band, known as the Ladies in Waiting, and I like the tight running time. You get a complete show without a long theater evening. The main consideration is its format: this is a loud, fast pop performance rather than a traditional, scene-by-scene historical musical.

Key points to know before booking

• Six queens take the microphone: Each wife presents her own case in a contest over whose marriage to Henry VIII was worst.
• An all-female musical team: The cast is backed by the Ladies in Waiting, giving the concert format a clear sense of purpose.
• Only 80 minutes: The show has no intermission, so you get a compact Broadway experience.
• Modern pop meets Tudor history: The score turns five hundred years of heartbreak into contemporary pop performance.
• Award-winning music: SIX won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Original Score and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.
• Best for ages 10 and up: Children under 4 are not admitted, and the recommended age is 10 or older.

Six Tudor queens, one very modern contest

The setup is wonderfully simple. The six wives of Henry VIII step forward and compete to decide who suffered the worst marriage. Instead of letting the king remain the center of the story, the musical shifts attention to the women themselves.

That idea gives the show its energy. You do not need a long history lesson before the curtain rises. The basic facts are familiar: Henry VIII had six wives, and their marriages ended in very different ways. SIX takes those facts and turns them into a playful battle for artistic control.

I like this approach because it gives each queen a clear reason to be onstage. Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr are not presented as a single group with interchangeable stories. Each gets a distinct musical identity and a chance to tell her own version of events.

The humor also keeps the history from feeling heavy. The subject includes divorce, execution, death, rejection, and emotional damage. The pop-concert style lets the show acknowledge those darker details while keeping the evening quick and entertaining.

What the 80-minute format feels like

SIX lasts 80 minutes and has no intermission. That matters more than it may seem. You can fit it neatly into a busy Broadway day, perhaps before dinner or after another daytime activity, without giving up several hours of your evening.

The trade-off is that the show moves quickly. There is little room for long transitions or extended dramatic scenes. You should expect a steady run of performances rather than a traditional musical with a large story arc, several settings, and a pause in the middle.

I see the short format as a strong value for many people. You get a full Broadway production, live singing, musicians, costumes, choreography, and a complete musical score in a compact package. If you prefer slow character development or detailed historical storytelling, the pace may feel too brisk.

The lack of an intermission also keeps the momentum intact. Once the queens begin competing, the show does not stop for a break. Plan ahead for food, drinks, and restrooms, since the performance itself will not give you a natural pause.

Meeting Catherine of Aragon and the first queens

The musical moves through the six wives as individual performers rather than treating them as a lecture topic. Catherine of Aragon opens the contest, followed by Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour. Their sections help establish the rules of the evening: each queen gets a musical moment, each has a different style, and each wants control of her own story.

Catherine of Aragon’s place in the contest reflects the public history of Henry’s first marriage. Anne Boleyn brings a different kind of energy, while Jane Seymour adds another perspective on love, loyalty, and loss. The point is not to rank these women by historical importance. The point is to let each one claim the microphone.

I appreciate that structure because you can follow the show even if your Tudor knowledge is limited. The characters explain enough through the songs and performances to make their personal cases clear. At the same time, you may catch more references if you already know the basic story of Henry VIII.

The early part of the show also teaches you how to watch SIX. Think less about a conventional plot and more about a concert with a running argument. The queens are competing, but they are also building a shared performance.

Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr

The later queens add more contrast to the musical lineup. Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr each bring another chapter of the marriage story to the stage, with different emotional stakes and musical approaches.

Anna of Cleves is especially important to the show’s sense of independence. Her story gives the contest a reminder that not every queen’s life can be reduced to a tragic ending. Katherine Howard brings a darker and more vulnerable side to the evening. Catherine Parr adds another voice to the group and helps push the show toward its larger idea of identity beyond Henry VIII.

I like how the six sections work together. You get individual spotlight moments, but the queens are also part of an ensemble. The musical asks you to listen to each woman’s account, then question the idea that one person must win in order for the others to matter.

That is where the modern message becomes clearest. The show begins as a contest over whose marriage was worst. As the queens take ownership of their stories, the competition starts to feel less important than the act of speaking for themselves.

Pop music, Tudor history, and the Ladies in Waiting

The score is the main event. SIX remixes five hundred years of historical heartbreak through the sounds and performance language of modern pop. The queens function as solo artists, with each number shaped to feel like a different pop-star showcase.

The all-female band, the Ladies in Waiting, is an important part of that design. They are not simply background musicians. Their presence reinforces the show’s focus on women controlling the music, the stage, and the narrative.

This is one of the details I value most. The cast and band create a full performance unit, so the concert framing feels intentional rather than like a shortcut. The music carries the story, and the stage energy carries the history.

The Broadway album, SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT, debuted at number one on the Billboard cast album charts and has been streamed more than 100 million times worldwide. Those figures will not replace seeing the show live, but they explain why the score has a life beyond the theater. If you already know the songs, hearing them performed in person gives the experience a direct, shared quality. If you do not know them, the short format makes the show an easy introduction.

Why the awards matter, and what they do not tell you

SIX won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Original Score and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. Those honors point to the strength of the music and the clarity of the show’s central idea.

Awards do not guarantee that the format will suit you. If you enjoy pop concerts, strong vocal performances, humor, and direct audience energy, this production is likely to fit your taste. If you want a large historical drama with detailed scenes and a long narrative, the awards do not change the basic structure.

I would use the honors as a sign that the score is a serious reason to book, not as proof that everyone will love the presentation. The musical has a specific identity. It knows it is a pop concert, and it does not try to become a conventional Tudor epic.

Is the Broadway ticket good value?

No ticket price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact deal in dollars. I can judge what you receive: an 80-minute Broadway production with six featured performers, an all-female band, a full original score, and a compact format that saves much of your evening.

That makes the value strongest if you want a focused Broadway event rather than a long night at the theater. You are paying for live music, theatrical production, and the chance to see a popular original musical in its intended setting.

The value is less clear if you mainly want historical detail. SIX uses Tudor history as its starting point, but it is not a museum presentation or a carefully staged biography. It takes familiar figures and reshapes them for a modern audience.

I would compare the ticket cost with your priorities. For a music-first Broadway outing, the short running time is a benefit. For someone hoping to spend an entire evening inside a sweeping story, the 80-minute length may make the ticket feel less satisfying.

Who should see SIX?

I would recommend SIX to pop music fans, Broadway newcomers, history-curious teenagers, and anyone looking for a fast theater experience with a strong point of view. The recommended age is 10 and up, which fits the show’s themes and brisk presentation.

It can also work well for a mixed group. You do not need to arrive as a Tudor expert, and the music gives the performance an easy entry point. The all-female cast and band add a clear reason to see the show live rather than simply listen to the album.

I would be more cautious if you dislike loud concert formats, direct competition between characters, or modern pop styles. You may also want another production if your main goal is a detailed retelling of Henry VIII’s reign and marriages.

Food and drinks are not included, though they are available for purchase. Transportation is also not included, so you will need to arrange your own way to the Broadway theater. The admission ticket covers the show itself.

Should you book SIX on Broadway?

Book it if you want a short, high-energy Broadway musical built around live pop performances and six women taking back their stories. The all-female band, award-winning score, and 80-minute running time make it a particularly practical choice for a packed New York day.

Skip it if you expect a traditional historical drama with long scenes, a detailed timeline, or an intermission. SIX is best understood as a concert battle with Tudor characters, modern music, humor, and a clear message about who gets to tell the story.

For the right audience, that focus is the appeal. You get in, hear six queens make their cases, and leave with a fresh way to think about a very old royal scandal.

FAQ

How long is SIX the Musical?

The show lasts 80 minutes and has no intermission.

What age is SIX recommended for?

SIX is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Can children under 4 attend?

No. Children under the age of 4 will not be admitted.

Is food and drink included with admission?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but they are available for purchase.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation is not included with the admission ticket.

Who performs with the six queens?

The female cast is backed by an all-female band called the Ladies in Waiting.