Broadway's 'Six' Brings Pop Energy to Omaha's Orpheum

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The Broadway touring production of 'Six,' a clever, high-energy musical review about the six wives of Henry VIII, recently played a brief run at Omaha's Orpheum Theater. Created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the show takes a pop music swing at the queens, presenting them as a modern pop girl group determined to reclaim their stories from the absent king who came to define them.

Why it matters

The musical's unique staging and pop-infused score have made it a breakout hit, breathing new life into the centuries-old stories of Henry VIII's wives. Its Omaha run showcased the show's ability to connect with audiences through its blend of historical narrative and contemporary musical styles.

The details

The staging of 'Six' is less traditional musical and more concert experience, with the stage awash in pulsating neon and strobe lights. The loose plot has the six queens - Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr - vying for the spotlight, American Idol-style, using song and modern social media-tinged nomenclature to make their case that they endured the worst fate in Henry's life. The touring cast delivers with the confidence and charisma of seasoned pop performers, supported by an all-female rock band that drives the show with infectious energy.

• The Broadway touring production of 'Six' recently played a brief run at Omaha's Orpheum Theater.