NYC: SIX the Musical on Broadway

SIX turns Henry VIII’s six wives into a pop group, then hands them the microphones. Instead of staying in the background of their husband’s story, the queens compete to make their own histories heard, with an all-female band, the Ladies in Waiting, backing them.

I like two things about the premise: the show gives familiar history a fresh point of view, and its 80-minute, no-intermission format makes for a compact evening out. One consideration: it is a concert-style musical built around pop performance, so it may not suit you if you want a traditional, dialogue-heavy period drama.

Key points to know

• Six queens take the stage: Each wife of Henry VIII gets a chance to tell her side of the story.
• A pop concert, not a standard history lesson: The queens face off over whose marriage was worse, using modern pop-diva styles.
• An all-female backing band: The Ladies in Waiting perform alongside the cast.
• Short and uninterrupted: The show lasts 80 minutes, with no intermission.
• A strong musical track record: SIX won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Original Score and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.
• Plan for age restrictions and extras: The show is recommended for ages 10 and up. Children under 4 are not admitted. Transport, food, and drinks cost extra.

Six wives, one microphone each

SIX takes a bold shortcut through Tudor history. Rather than telling Henry VIII’s story from the king’s point of view, it brings his six wives forward and gives them the stage. The conceit is simple: the women compete to prove whose marriage was worst, and in the process, they reclaim identities often reduced to their relationship with Henry.

That change of focus is the show’s main appeal. You do not need to arrive with a detailed grasp of the Tudor court to understand the central idea. The queens’ rivalry gives the evening a clear shape, while the pop format makes a centuries-old subject feel immediate.

The show is not presented as a conventional historical drama, and you should not expect a slow, detailed account of court politics. Its subject is historical heartbreak, but its approach is contemporary and performance-driven. If you enjoy musicals that play with history rather than stage it in a strictly traditional way, the premise gives you plenty to follow.

Pop songs with a Tudor point of view

The music is central, not a break between stretches of dialogue. The queens use modern pop-diva styles to tell their stories and compete with one another, turning the historical setup into a musical contest. The result is a show that asks you to listen to the wives as performers and narrators, not simply as figures from Henry’s life.

That emphasis helps explain the production’s awards and its reach beyond Broadway. SIX won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Original Score and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. Its SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT Broadway album debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard cast album charts and has been streamed more than 100 million times worldwide.

Those milestones are useful clues if you are deciding whether the musical side is likely to work for you. The songs are a major part of the show’s identity, and the album gives you a way to get acquainted with the music before or after the performance. Still, the ticket gets you the live production, not a meal or a full evening of historical context. Think of it as a focused musical event.

The Ladies in Waiting make the band part of the story

The queens are backed by an all-female band called the Ladies in Waiting. That detail fits the show’s larger idea: the performers surrounding the wives are women too, and the musical support is built into the production’s all-female framing.

For you, the practical point is that the band is part of what makes this more concert-like than a standard play. The show is designed around songs and performance, so the live musical backing matters to the overall effect. The supplied details do not name individual cast members or musicians, so check the current cast information if a particular performer is important to your decision.

An 80-minute show with no intermission

SIX runs for 80 minutes and has no intermission. That makes it an easy show to fit into an evening, especially if you prefer a compact performance or do not want a long break in the middle. It also means you should plan to arrive ready to watch the full show without pausing for refreshments.

The short running time is a benefit, but it shapes expectations. You are getting a concentrated musical rather than a long, expansive production. If you want a full evening built around a lengthy plot, several acts, or a detailed account of Tudor history, this may feel brief. If you value a lively, self-contained show, the concise format is a sensible part of the appeal.

What your ticket covers, and what it does not

Your ticket includes admission to the show. Transportation is not included, and food and drinks are available for purchase separately. The performance itself is therefore the core of the booking, so remember to account for the trip and any refreshments when you work out what the evening will cost.

No ticket price is provided here, so it would be misleading to label the show a bargain or an expensive night out. Instead, judge the value against what you want: a Broadway musical with an award-winning original score, an all-female cast and band, and an 80-minute running time. If those are the elements you are paying for, the ticket may make good sense. If you are looking for a long performance or a package that includes transport and dining, factor in those separate expenses.

The show has received high praise from major publications, including a New York Times description that says it totally rules and a Variety assessment calling it a solid 10. Treat those as signs of critical enthusiasm, not a guarantee that its pop-concert style will suit every taste. The useful question is whether you like the idea of historical figures telling their stories through modern pop.

Age guidance and choosing the right night out

SIX is recommended for ages 10 and up. Children under 4 are not admitted, so this is not a suitable choice for families with very young children. For older children, the format may be an accessible way to encounter the six queens, though the show’s subject is marital heartbreak rather than a children’s history lesson.

I would recommend it most to you if you enjoy pop music, sharp changes of perspective, and musicals that do not follow the usual period-drama formula. It may also suit a group with mixed interest in Tudor history, since the central contest is easy to grasp even if you do not know each queen’s biography.

You might prefer another Broadway show if your priority is a traditional story told through extended scenes, or if you want more historical detail than a musical can provide in 80 minutes. SIX’s strength is its specific idea: six women move from the margins of a famous king’s story to the center of their own performance.

Should you book SIX?

Book SIX if you want a short, music-led Broadway show with a clear point of view and a cast backed by an all-female band. Its awards, chart-topping album, and streaming reach point to a musical that has connected with a wide audience, while the fresh focus on Henry VIII’s wives gives it more to say than a simple Tudor costume spectacle.

Think twice if you are seeking a long, dialogue-driven history play, or if you are bringing a child under 4. For everyone else, the main decision is taste: if a pop face-off between six queens sounds more appealing than a conventional royal drama, this is a distinctive way to spend 80 minutes in New York.

FAQ

How long is SIX on Broadway?

The show lasts 80 minutes and has no intermission.

What is included with admission?

Admission to the show is included.

Are transportation, food, and drinks included?

No. Transportation is not included. Food and drinks are available for purchase separately.

What ages is the show recommended for?

SIX is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Can children under 4 attend?

No. Children under 4 will not be admitted.

What awards has SIX won?

SIX won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Original Score and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.