I first saw SIX on Broadway just last year on a trip to NYC with our DMR students, but I’ve been listening to these catchy tunes since COVID, when some of our Dream Team members—who had spent nearly a year working together virtually—finally met in person to perform “Ex-Wives.” If I ever need a pick-me-up, the recordings from this show are my go-to.
A Tony Award-winning musical, SIX was written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss during their senior year at Cambridge University. They reimagine the six wives of Henry VIII as members of a pop girl group, using the concert format to bring their stories to life in a bold and contemporary way. With an all-female cast, Marlow and Moss set out to address the gender imbalance in musical theatre, creating a work that amplifies female voices and embraces themes of empowerment. While the show takes creative liberties with historical events, it provides a fresh lens through which we can view Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr—not just as queens or wives, but as individuals reclaiming their own narratives.
Each Queen in SIX has a distinct musical identity, with Marlow and Moss drawing inspiration from iconic pop artists. The result is a dynamic score that channels the styles of Beyoncé, Avril Lavigne, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Adele, Ariana Grande, and Alicia Keys. Our creative team took this idea even further, pulling inspiration from artists such as Lady Gaga, Missy Elliott, Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Amy Winehouse, Aaliyah, Fergie, Brandy, Diana Ross, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, Fiona Apple, Chappell Roan, Celine Dion, and Whitney Houston. Every choice—from choreography and vocal stylings to costumes and lighting—has been influenced by this incredible range of powerhouse performers.
I want to take a moment to celebrate our phenomenal creative team, many of whom are students! Our choreography team—UVA student Gwyneth and high school students Evvy and Ella—has spent months crafting intricate, high-energy choreography, and it has been an absolute joy to collaborate with them. Our lighting team is entirely student-run by middle schoolers Daniel and June, with Daniel spearheading a bold new lighting concept to transform the BAC into a concert-style venue. Thanks to their work, the BAC will now have even more creative possibilities for future productions. The role of stage manager is one of the most challenging in any production, and high school freshman Amy has set a new standard. She has not only led a team of assistant stage managers (Daphne, Aislyn, and James) but has also helped organize countless behind-the-scenes elements of the show.
We’ve also had the brilliant contributions of Kristie and Cassidy, who worked on dramaturgical research under the mentorship of Claire, while also taking on producing and directing responsibilities. Our costume designer, Celena, was never physically present with our cast but brought a visionary concept to life with the help of an incredible team of DMR staff and family members, including Katherine, August, Laura, Karen, Christen, Kamryn, and Sue, with additional support from Margot, Livia, Daniel, Aislyn, and more. Vocally, Xavier laid the foundation for these young performers last year, and Kamryn—one of my former students, who we’re lucky to have with us in Charlottesville for a short time—has helped them further develop their voices and confidence. Special thanks to Jay Taylor and Kyle Schneider for their technical expertise, Joe and August for scenic painting, Cian for the last minute production help, and Mike for building the runway that brought our vision to life. This production would not have been possible without the support of our DMR office team—Katie, Chloe, and Molly—or without my personal support system, Matt and Cooper, who contribute so much behind the scenes.
Finally, I want to recognize our extraordinary cast of 15—each of them a phenomenal singer, dancer, and actor. Three of our performers are swings, meaning they have learned two different Queen roles and will rotate throughout the run of the show. This unique aspect of the production has created an intense rehearsal process, but it has also fostered a built-in support system, with the cast constantly cheering one another on.
At auditions, each student participated in an exercise where they took a moment on the (then imaginary) runway while their peers cheered them on. What they didn’t realize at the time was that, for me, the most important takeaway wasn’t just how they carried themselves onstage—it was how they lifted each other up. I hope you’ll see and feel that same energy in tonight’s performance. Please join us in cheering them on and celebrating the incredible work they’ve put into bringing SIX: Teen Edition to life! Enjoy the show and please come back and see multiple versions if tickets are available!
-Melissa Charles
