Most of us know the little poem about Henry the 8th wives: Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived. The idea that someone took that little poem and created an 85-minute musical seems incredulous. Add that the wives are reimagined as modern-day pop stars competing to see who had it worse just seems ridiculous. Well, we need ridiculous right now.
This delightful pop concert is the brainchild of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss (directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage), and that is what it is, a pop concert. If you pay attention, you will learn some things about these legendary characters and the need for female empowerment but it is still a pop concert, which is fine. That is why you don’t feel cheated that it is only 85 minutes, it is a powerful non-stop concert with concert lighting and choreography filled with energy and sparkle… so much sparkle.
One would think that the show is aimed at a young female audience, and it is, but there is something in the show for just about anyone. At this evening’s performance everyone of all of ages seemed to be having an equally great time, of course, that is what we really need right now is an evening of fun. The show is quickly headed for cult status and that is fine. I heard in the lobby that several patrons were seeing the show for the third or fourth time.
The cast is evenly talented and pretty evenly featured. Khaila Wilcoxon portrays Catherine of Aragon in her best Beyoncé influenced character. Catherine of Aragon will always have my sympathy as the wife who was treated the worst, if for no other reason she had 24 years invested with Henry. Khaila is a powerful entertainer who makes a real impact with the audience, she is also a really good actor who truly sells some really hard to swallow beliefs.
Storm Lever brings Anne Boleyn to life with shades of Avril Lavigne. Storm gives Anne a wicked sense of humor which is refreshing. Her vocals are as strong as Anne’s personality.
Wife number three is Jane Seymour given an Adele flavor by Jasmine Forsberg. The evening’s strongest Power Ballad, “Heart of Stone”, is given all of the respect it deserves in this outstanding performance by Jasmine.
Anna of Cleves knows that she got the best deal of all of the wives and uses her moment to gloat it over the other queens. Olivia Donalson reminds me of a German Rhianna who is having a blast as she shares her tale of how she got her own castle even though she was rejected by Henry because she didn’t look as good as her “pic.” Her energy is infectious and is a definite crowd pleaser.
Didi Romero plays Katherine Howard who was known for her promiscuity with Britney Spears energy. In a surprising twist Didi gets to play a lot of layers to a queen who has gotten perhaps the worst reputation of all the wives.
Catherine Parr, the one who survived, is given an Alicia Keys flavor by Gabriela Carrillo. Given perhaps some of the best lines in the show, Gabriela rises to the occasion and gives us a very strong Catherine Parr. Her vocals in “I Don’t Need Your Love” were a pleasant surprise.
The set is simple but effective and works in conjunction with the lighting by Tim Deiling which is marvelous! The costumes are already iconic and designed by Gabriella Slade. It is worth noting to complete this evening of female empowerment that the entire band is female. Over all the acoustics were really good at the National. If I had any complaint was that pace of the songs seemed a bit faster than they are the Broadway recording, but with so much energy in the room, who could blame them?
Running Time: 85 minutes with no intermission
Six plays through September 4, 2022 at The National Theatre— 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, DC. For tickets call the box office at 800-514-3849 or purchase them online.
