Now in Chicago, the Stars of ‘SIX: The Musical’ Find Inspiration in Reclaiming the Stories of Henry VIII’s Wives

Angel Idowu | July 5, 2024, 2:49 pm

Kristina Leopold, center, Cassie Silva, to her right, and the cast of the North American tour of “SIX.” (Credit: Joan Marcus)

A number of queens are making their royal rounds as they tour the country in the Tony Award-winning “SIX: The Musical.”

The show, which uses high-energy pop music to tell the stories of the wives of King Henry VIII, is running in Chicago through July 14.

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Cassie Silva stars as the ill-fated Anne Boleyn and Kristina Leopold as Catherine of Aragon.

“It’s a pop musical, it’s concert style, it’s high energy,” said Silva.

“We don’t have a fourth wall,” Silva said. “So we speak directly to our audience. And we are made up of female-identifying and non-binary people, which is also very cool … And also it’s six women on stage in principal roles, like, who really can say that?”

As an ensemble cast, Silva is joined on stage by Leopold and the four other wives in a retelling of the historical story through the perspective of the women.

“There’s nowhere to hide,” Silva said. “We exit this stage, I think maybe two or three times, which none of those are over a minute being off stage.”

Leopold said the show has been known as a hard one to cast.

“Honestly, it’s because you have to find six, if you’re looking at the alternates as well, people that are able to step forward and be the star of the show, but then can also … be a supportive ensemble group to create the world of the queen that’s now singing their diva solo moment,” Leopold said.

For Leopold and Silva, the show requires a teamwork approach that helps create a supportive atmosphere for the performers.

“I can feel her through my back, giving everything she can in my number right, like she’s got me,” Leopold said of Silva. “And then we get to literally switch places, and I’m pouring everything I can to create and support her moment and the atmosphere that her song is creating, and then we do it again and again and again throughout the show, and then we get to all come together as an ensemble and celebrate each other that way.”

While their musical partnership exudes comradery, the pair play women on opposing sides of the king’s adultery as he begins a relationship with Anne Boleyn during his marriage to Catherine.

The lessons Catherine of Aragon sings of are something Leopold says she can relate to. She said Catherine’s desire to be remembered for the things she did and not just her marriage is a powerful statement.

“I think I channel that through Catherine of Aragon,” Leopold said. “She is such a bold, unapologetic, girly pop and Kristina is a very shy, more like walls up.”

Silva also finds inspiration in her character.

“One thing that I also love about Boleyn is just her ability to access levity with her authenticity and to just be genuine,” Silva said. “Like each individual in the world is different. We’re all different and that’s OK, which I think is a message you can never hear too often.”

With a variety of personalities on display throughout the show, Silva says there is plenty for the audience to grab hold of.

“I think that’s what makes the show so universal, is everybody can find something that they’re going to relate to,” Silva said.

You can watch Silva, Leopold and the rest of the cast of “SIX” at the Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolh St., through July 14. For more information visit broadwayinchicago.com.