Playing 3 of 6 lead roles in a show is no easy feat. Most people would lose their head, but for Caroline Siegrist, an alternate on the Broadway national tour of SIX the Musical, it’s become a weekly occurrence.
SIX’s reign at the Saroyan Theatre in Fresno runs from April 1-6. The musical, a pop-rock retelling of the story of King Henry VIII’s six wives, is not just another history lesson. The girl gang of ex-wives recite their life stories while in a singing competition to become the new lead of the group.
Siegrist covers three different tracks in the show: the three queens Jane Seymour, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr. This means she is often on call to play any three of these roles at the drop of a hat.
“I love the way that I get to step into a new character,” Siegrist said. “This is my first time being an alternate. So this isn’t a gift that I’ve been given before.”
Siegrist describes it simply as a rare treat to get to play three totally different characters in the same show- sometimes even playing two of her studied roles in the same week.
Although Seymour, Howard and Parr share a husband, they are exponentially different parts to play.
Femme fatale Howard is fun, flirty and naive, the youngest of the queens. On the other hand, Seymour is portrayed as a gentle and glorified motherly soul. Parr, wise and scholarly, was the final wife, and the only queen to survive Henry. Additionally, all of the queens are inspired by different iconic women in pop. The show highlights and celebrates the vast differences between the queens, a smashing depiction of female empowerment.
Blazing the trail of modern musical theater, SIX features an all-female cast and band chosen by directors through colorblind casting, resulting in an extremely talented and racially diverse women-headed cast. Siegrist describes standing on stage with five other women when she’s on, in a cast of 11 women total including alternates, as a real royal affair.
“I don’t even think I have the words to truly explain how amazing that is and to look into the audience and see young girls and I mean honestly, just women of all ages, and see them connect with what we’re saying,” Siegrist said. “I think it’s so special. And I think this is female empowerment. We’re always going to need that. We’re always going to need shows that are reminding us that our voices deserve to be heard.”
Beyond the basics of being a first-time alternate, Siegrist has had a wild run so far with many new and unique tour experiences. This includes one of the craziest moments of her career: being called to go on mid-show.
“I was sitting up in the dressing room one Sunday night, and our Katherine Howard had to step out of the show,” Siegrist said. “She had to tell our stage manager that she couldn’t finish the show, and she’s okay, everything’s fine, but I got the call.”
SIX is a 90 minute show with no intermission, and the six queens are practically always on the stage, so there isn’t really any chance for a sub to sneak into the show. Siegrist found out at the beginning of “Haus of Holbein” and had that one number to transform her bare-faced, street clothed self into Katherine Howard.
The other alternates flocked to Siegrist, sweeping her hair into a Howard ponytail as she slathered her face in pink hues. After sprinting down stairs and slipping into her costume, Howard handed her the mic as she walked on to finish the rest of the show.
“Every city we’ve been in has taught me something different about myself and performing on the road, and it’s been very challenging in a lot of ways,” Siegrist said. “I think being an alternate is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, and I think being on tour, in its own way, is also just very challenging, you know, being away from home.”
Challenges aside, Siegrist describes the experience as nothing short of a blessing. The travel aspect of it all has been amazing for her- from touring the West Coast, which Siegrist has never seen, to performing in destination locations such as Hawaii and even Canada. However, her favorite part of touring nationally is getting to do stage doors at the end of each night across America.
“We get to see all these young people waiting out there in their crowns and their SIX t-shirts, and everyone has a different story and a different piece of the show that they connected with,” Siegrist said. “I think to just see that our show is getting to make an impact in all of these amazing cities is just so surreal.”
If you’re ready to get down with Siegrist and the rest of the SIX cast, tickets are available here. Broadway Across America in Fresno also offers special student and educator tickets for seats in the rear orchestra and balcony priced between $35.30-$55.50.
