Don’t worry, they’re mostly positive
So obviously Six made its broadway debut yesterday and I’m so happy for both the queens and for Toby and Lucy. It’s amazing to see how far this production has come since May 2019 and I seriously hope the show continues to grow even more.
Before I start, can I just reiterate that I have no bias towards any cast of Six? Anything I say here are genuine things I’ve noticed and I’m not trying to favour one cast over another.
The new costumes for Aragon, Boleyn, Seymour, Cleves and Howard! They’re all just improved versions of their old costumes that are better suited to their body types and more glitzy for broadway. What’s not to love?
In fact, I know this might be an unpopular opinion but I actually really dig Britt’s new Cleves costume and it fits with Britt’s more melodramatic and grandiose version of Cleves, and those make me gayer by every second. Although I don’t really see other versions of Cleves wearing this outfit, I think Britt suits the new additions. And again those boots
THE LIGHTING!!! They seriously must be going for an award at the Tony’s for their lighting, because a) it’s referenced a lot more throughout the show and b) they’re making a lot more use of it during the megasix.
I swear there’s been really small additions to the band arrangements(I come from a musical family so I pick up on these things) but, for lack of a better way of describing it, they’re mostly to do with bulking out the sound of the music than changing the songs (if that makes sense) and they’re actually really good so no complaints here.
The stage didn’t look nearly as big as I worried it would be. The stage in Boston seemed so massive but this one doesn’t seem nearly as big, which is good because sometimes big stages with smaller shows don’t work well together. It’s bigger than the arts, but nowhere near as big as the Sydney opera house so 🤷🏻♀️
The queens are just so confident. There’s no broadway nerves in sight and that’s great. Seeing how far they’ve come from the first sixcago performance only a few months ago is amazing and I’m so happy for all of them. From the moment they step on from Ex-wives they own the stage and kill it.
This is more of a general US observation but I like it so I’ll mention it but Andrea’s very quick and snappy as Boleyn. She’s not waiting about to think of her insults, she’s saying them really rapid fire and without hesitating. It offsets Abby’s more awkward and apologetic version of Seymour and just works as a good contrast between the two.
Also the queens backing up Andrea in DLUH seem so personally invested/offended by everything she does. Like almost screaming “WHAT?” And sounding so confused at “YOU’RE LIVING WITH HIS WIFE”. Idk if there’s like anything to analyse here but idk I liked it so I’m mentioning it. Deal with it.
Heart of Stone made me cry. ‘Nuff said.
THEY WENT FOR HOH AND I’M HERE FOR IT. IT IS SO FUCKING LOUD AND SO OVER-EXAGGERATED AND ITS AMAZING!
(in fact everything is louder and more over-exaggerated which was definitely needed for this bigger theatre imo)
“But we cannot guarantee that you’ll still walk at forty :)” Miss Abby Mueller you never fail to deliver on that line.
Wow I really love Brittney Mack.
Okay but real talk her Cleves was always so melodramatic but they’ve taken this to the next level and I’m for it. Idk what exactly she does at the “take my fur” bit for Get Down but the crowd went WILD so I can’t wait to find out!
I think there’s been small, subtle changes to the backing vocals of AWYD but they really work. Plus, I’m a massive fan of the more angry and betrayed Howard’s in general so Sam delivers as always. She’s the only Howard I know to literally cry on multiple occasions and I love her for it.
I just hope we get more Mallory Howard’s in future because I’d love to hear her rendition of AWYD.
The argument after AYWD makes it seem seem like the queens are 30 seconds from ripping each other apart. Like they’re all at the end of their sanity and about to explode and honestly? I think that works more for the American queens.
That random fucking cowbell before IDNYL. It literally made me cry with laughter and makes me wonder what the fuck Parr’s original song was going to be. I know they’re still in preview stage for the show so I’m excited to see if any more extra lines or gags like these are added into the show as time goes on.
In fact that cowbell features at other points too I think, along with extra cymbals. And they crack me up. Seriously they’re so random.
Speaking of IDNYL, Anna seemed to be leaning into the softer side of Parr than she usually would and I’m here for it! US Six always had a more melodramatic than friendly Cleves and a more angry Howard, but something is needed to offset these characteristics. A softer, more insecure Parr is exactly what’s needed here.
Also the extra beats (idk how to phrase it) in the reprise of IDNYL were a really unexpected change but they work so well. Again, it’s bulking out the sound of the show but in a good way. Nothing seems cluttered which can be an issue when stuff is added to an arrangement.
Bonus mention goes towards the alternates. They haven’t actually done anything (since they weren’t on last night) but I love them so I’m mentioning them anyway.
Things I’m not so sure about:
The playbill/promotional pictures. This sounds so random but like,,,Anna, Adrianna and Brittney look very whitewashed in these pictures, especially Anna. I seriously hope this was just the result of a really really badly chosen filter and nothing more.
The Parr peplum. I genuinely do not understand why they had to change Anna’s costume because it was pefect as it was. The changes to the other costumes? They all make sense to me and I love them. But this...it’s just odd to me. Maybe it’s because I love both Anna and Parr’s OG costume anyway but it’s something I personally dislike and I don’t apologise for my opinion.
Not being allowed to film the megasix... but lets be real here who is actually listening to that rule?