By Chris Heide

As a gay man, musical theatre is in my blood. Lea Michele’s “Don’t Rain on My Parade” is in my blood, “Defying Gravity” embodies my soul, and just about anything from Rent, Book of Mormon, or Dear Evan Hansen speaks to me. It is rare that I attend a show that is unfamiliar to me. Sometimes, those moments are the best surprises.

I knew nothing about Six prior to attending the show. I had managed to avoid most spoilers (any musical theater spoilers are rife on TikTok). This is impressive considering my dedication to hours of mindless scrolling. Because of this, I was able to enjoy the show without any preconceived notions or biases.

Six tells the story of the six wives of Henry the 8th. However, this is not your typical musical. The show is signed as a concert within the show, with the actresses frequently breaking the fourth wall and engaging with the audience. The premise is simple; the six wives are competing in a singing completion to prove who had the most tragic backstory and would therefore be declared the winner. Over a taught 90 minutes, what unfurls is pop perfection.

Each of the six wives is designed to mimic iconic pop divas. Influences of Britney Spears, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Adele, Christina Aguilera, Ariana Grande, Shakira, Rhianna, Nikki Minaj, and more can be found in this show. The musical numbers ate pop perfection, mimicking the beats, lyrical composition, and style of our most infamous divas. Everything about Six just works. There is iconic choreography, ear-piercing vocals (complete with the stylistic melisma we know and love), and fierce costuming. There is not a single joke, moment of reverence, or belting high note that feels misplaced. It is easy to see why Six won numerous Tony Awards.

Catch this moment of pop perfection while you still can!