The River Region Drama Guild will present “Six: Teen Edition” this week at the River Region Performing Arts and Cultural Center at 15146 River Road in Norco. Performances are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29 – Saturday, Jan. 31, with matinee performances at 2 p.m. on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Tickets are $15.
“SIX: Teen Edition” is a modern musical reimagining the six wives of Henry VIII as pop stars. Each queen tells her story through songs, competing to be the group’s lead singer.
The cast features six teen actresses from the Greater New Orleans area playing the roles of the famous six wives; the teen actresses are all familiar to the River Region Drama Guild and are also active in the theater programs at their respective high schools. They attend Destrehan High School, Hahnville High School, Academy of Our Lady, and the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts.
Brielle Hebert will play Catherine of Aragon, Sage McTee will portray Anne Boleyn, Isabelle Higgins will depict Jane Seymour, Breelyn Oster will represent Anne of Cleves, Theresa McStay will render Katherine Howard, and Kinley LeBlanc will act the part of Catherine Parr.
“Six: Teen Edition” is directed by LeeAnn Hovis with choreography by Emily Clulee.
Erika Spengler, a member of the RRDG board, said Hovis, a Destrehan native and a graduate of the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts and Southeastern Louisiana University, is making her directorial debut with the guild.
Hovis is well known on stages throughout the region having performed in “Alice By Heart,” “Sister Act,” “Little Women,” “Mama Mia,” and “The Nutcracker Ballet,” Spengler said. Hovis also works as a choral music teacher at J.B. Martin Middle School in Paradis.
Spengler said the show is fun and entertaining.
“It doesn’t matter if you know a lot or a little about English history,” Spengler said. “It gives audiences a fresh appreciation for these historic figures.”
Residents can enjoy an affordable night of live theatre right here in St. Charles Parish, Spengler said.
“The intimate space of our performance venue means everyone is close to the action,” she said. “Plus, at 90 minutes, this is a relatively short show that feels more like a concert.”
“SIX: Teen Edition” is the teen version of the Tony winning musical “SIX,” which is still running on Broadway in New York City since opening there in 2021. The musical reframes the history of 16th century England as a modern, high energy pop spectacle for the 21st century.
“Our teen actresses have been rehearsing and working hard to bring a lot of heart and energy to this performance,” Spengler said. “At the River Region Drama Guild, we have watched these young actresses and our director grow up on the stage. This show gives them all a chance to shine.”
For more information, visit rrpa.org, email rrdginc@rrpa.org, or call 985-224-3562.
