SIX
Peoria

What Is SIX the Musical?

SIX is a pop musical that recasts the six wives of Henry VIII — Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr — as modern-day pop icons competing in a concert to determine whose royal hardship was the worst. Rather than being defined by their relationship to the king, the queens reclaim their own stories through original pop anthems, sharp humor, and choreography that turns the stage into a stadium concert. The show runs 80 minutes with no intermission and is performed by a cast of six women backed by an all-female band. SIX has won over 35 international awards, including two Tony Awards, and its Broadway album has surpassed one billion streams.

The Story Behind SIX: From Edinburgh Fringe to Broadway Royalty

Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss were final-year students at Cambridge University when they wrote SIX in 2017. Moss has described the concept as partly inspired by Beyoncé’s Live at Roseland concert film and historian Antonia Fraser’s biography The Six Wives of Henry VIII. The show premiered at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival as a production of the Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society and immediately attracted attention for its fresh, pop-driven take on Tudor history. After selling out Monday-night performances at London’s Arts Theatre, SIX moved to the West End, where it earned five Olivier Award nominations. The show opened in the United States at Chicago Shakespeare Theater and then at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts before heading to Broadway.

SIX began Broadway previews at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on February 13, 2020 — only to see its opening night postponed indefinitely when Broadway shut down due to the pandemic. Previews finally resumed on September 17, 2021, with the official opening on October 3, 2021. At 26 years old, Lucy Moss became the youngest woman to direct a Broadway musical. At the 2022 Tony Awards, Marlow became the first openly non-binary composer-lyricist to win a Tony, sharing the Best Original Score award with Moss. The show now runs at the Lena Horne Theatre (256 West 47th Street, New York) and continues to expand worldwide, with productions on North American tour, in the West End, across the UK and Ireland, in Australia and New Zealand, and aboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

Meet the Six Queens

Each of Henry VIII’s six wives gets her own solo number, and each queen’s musical style is inspired by a different contemporary pop artist. Catherine of Aragon opens the show with a powerhouse Beyoncé-inspired anthem about being cast aside after 24 years of marriage. Anne Boleyn brings a cheeky, Lily Allen-style track that turns her beheading into a darkly comic triumph. Jane Seymour delivers the emotional ballad of the evening, channeling Adele as the one wife Henry supposedly truly loved. Anna of Cleves transforms rejection into empowerment with a hip-hop-flavored number about thriving after the king found her unattractive. Katherine Howard performs a deceptively upbeat pop track — reminiscent of Ariana Grande — that takes a devastating emotional turn. And Catherine Parr closes the show with a Sia-inspired anthem about being more than just a footnote in a king’s story. Together, these six performances build to a final message about solidarity, sisterhood, and reclaiming your own narrative.

The Prairie Home Alliance Theater — Your Venue in Peoria

The Prairie Home Alliance Theater is a 2,200-seat performing arts venue located within the Peoria Civic Center at 201 SW Jefferson Street in the heart of downtown Peoria. Designed by architect Philip Johnson, the venue features a proscenium stage, tiered orchestra and balcony seating, and acoustics that have been praised for their clarity and intimacy. The theater is home to the Ameren Illinois Broadway in Peoria series and the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and has hosted decades of touring Broadway productions, concerts, and cultural events. Recent renovations have modernized the lobby, concessions, and guest amenities. Event parking is available in the main Marquee Lot and the Fulton Lot near the theater entrance, both at $7 per vehicle.

How to Get the Best SIX Peoria Tickets

1. Understand the three-night run — SIX plays Peoria on Tuesday November 17, Wednesday November 18, and Thursday November 19, 2026, all at 7:30 PM. Tuesday and Wednesday performances are season member priority nights. Thursday is an additional performance open to all. With only three shows, demand will be concentrated, so plan early.
2. Check season membership options — The SIX Peoria engagement is part of the 26–27 Ameren Illinois Broadway in Peoria season. Season memberships include SIX along with the other shows in the series and may offer the best per-show value. Memberships are available through the American Theatre Guild.
3. Compare seating sections — The Prairie Home Alliance Theater offers Orchestra Pit (closest to the stage), Orchestra Sections 1–3 (excellent sightlines), Loge Sections 4–7 (elevated, balanced view), and Balcony seating. For a pop-concert-style show like SIX, orchestra seats deliver the full immersive energy of the live band.
4. Shop the resale marketplace for flexibility — If season memberships or primary tickets are unavailable, competitive resale listings for all three Peoria performances are available on BigStub.com, where every price includes all fees upfront. BigStub is the highest-rated ticket seller on Trustpilot with over 20 years in business.
5. Arrive ready for 80 nonstop minutes — SIX has no intermission, so plan accordingly. Doors typically open 60 to 90 minutes before showtime. Use the time to visit concessions, find your seat, and settle in before the lights go down and the queens take the stage.

What to Expect at a Live Performance of SIX

SIX is unlike any traditional Broadway musical. There is no orchestra pit in the conventional sense — instead, the Ladies in Waiting, an all-female band, perform onstage with the queens throughout the entire 80-minute show. The staging recreates the feel of a pop concert, with concert lighting, a high-energy sound mix, and audience interaction that makes every seat feel like a front-row experience. The show is recommended for ages 10 and up, and children under 5 are not permitted. An audience advisory notes that the production includes flashing lights, strobe effects, theatrical haze, and loud music throughout. Despite the loud, celebratory energy, the show also delivers genuine emotional depth — particularly in Jane Seymour’s ballad and Katherine Howard’s deceptively upbeat number, which addresses exploitation and manipulation. Audiences consistently leave SIX on their feet.

The SIX Album and Streaming Phenomenon

The SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT Broadway cast album, recorded during the show’s October 2021 opening night at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard cast album charts and accumulated over six million streams in its first month alone. As of 2026, the SIX catalog has surpassed one billion streams worldwide across platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. The album’s tracks — particularly “Ex-Wives,” “Don’t Lose Ur Head,” “Heart of Stone,” “Get Down,” and “Six” — have become staples of musical theater playlists and viral TikTok trends, making SIX one of the most streamed musicals in history. A studio album was originally released in 2018 featuring the original UK cast.

Quick Answers

• Peoria dates: November 17, 18, and 19, 2026 — three nights only, all at 7:30 PM.
• Runtime: 80 minutes with no intermission.
• Venue: Prairie Home Alliance Theater at Peoria Civic Center (capacity ~2,200).
• Age recommendation: 10 and up; children under 5 not permitted.
• Part of: 26–27 Ameren Illinois Broadway in Peoria season.

Frequently Asked Questions About SIX in Peoria

When is SIX playing in Peoria?

SIX the Musical plays three performances at the Prairie Home Alliance Theater in Peoria, Illinois on Tuesday November 17, Wednesday November 18, and Thursday November 19, 2026. All three shows begin at 7:30 PM. This engagement is part of the 2026-27 Ameren Illinois Broadway in Peoria season presented by the American Theatre Guild.

How long is the SIX musical?

SIX has a runtime of approximately 80 minutes with no intermission. The show runs straight through from the opening number to the finale, making it one of the shortest and most fast-paced musicals currently touring. Plan to arrive before the 7:30 PM curtain since there is no break in the action once the show begins.

What is SIX the Musical about?

SIX reimagines the six wives of Henry VIII as modern-day pop stars competing in a concert-style showdown to determine whose story of royal hardship was the worst. Each queen performs her own original pop anthem, backed by an all-female onstage band called the Ladies in Waiting. The show transforms 500 years of historical heartbreak into a celebration of female empowerment and reclaiming your own story, blending sharp humor with genuine emotional depth.

Who wrote SIX the Musical?

SIX was written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, who created the book, music, and lyrics together while studying at Cambridge University in England. They won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Original Score. Marlow made history as the first openly non-binary composer-lyricist to win a Tony, and Moss, who co-directs the show with Jamie Armitage, became the youngest woman to direct a Broadway musical when SIX opened in New York at age 26.

What awards has SIX won?

SIX has won over 35 international awards. On Broadway, it won two Tony Awards in 2022: Best Original Score for Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, and Best Costume Design for Gabriella Slade, out of eight nominations that included Best Musical. SIX also won three Outer Critics Circle Awards including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, received five Olivier Award nominations in London, and the Broadway cast album debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard cast album charts with over one billion streams worldwide.

Is SIX appropriate for children?

SIX is recommended for ages 10 and up. Children under 5 are not permitted in the theater. The show contains references to themes such as marital infidelity, beheading, and manipulation, all handled through a pop-music lens with humor and empowerment. The production also features flashing lights, strobe effects, theatrical haze, and loud concert-level music throughout, which parents should consider for younger or sensitive audience members.

Where is the Prairie Home Alliance Theater?

The Prairie Home Alliance Theater is located within the Peoria Civic Center at 201 SW Jefferson Street in downtown Peoria, Illinois 61602. It is a 2,200-seat performing arts venue featuring a proscenium stage, tiered orchestra and balcony seating, and recently renovated facilities. Parking is available in the main Marquee Lot and the Fulton Lot near the theater entrance, both at seven dollars per vehicle. The venue is also accessible by public transit and rideshare services.

What is the difference between the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday performances?

All three SIX performances in Peoria are at 7:30 PM and feature the same full production. The Tuesday and Wednesday shows are designated as season member performances for those who hold 2026-27 Ameren Illinois Broadway in Peoria subscriptions. Thursday November 19 is an additional performance. All three nights are identical in terms of the show itself, cast, and runtime.

Can I buy SIX Peoria tickets with no hidden fees?

Yes. BigStub uses transparent all-in pricing on every SIX the Musical listing, meaning the ticket price shown includes all service charges and fees upfront with no additional costs at checkout. BigStub has been a trusted ticket resale marketplace for over 20 years and holds the highest seller rating on Trustpilot. Every purchase is backed by buyer protection and verified seller authentication. For primary tickets and season memberships, check the American Theatre Guild or the Peoria Civic Center box office.

Who are the six queens in SIX?

The six queens are Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr. Each is inspired by a different contemporary pop artist: Aragon channels Beyonce, Boleyn draws on Lily Allen, Seymour evokes Adele, Cleves brings hip-hop energy, Howard channels Ariana Grande, and Parr closes the show with a Sia-inspired anthem. The North American tour features the Boleyn touring company with its own dedicated cast of six performers plus alternates.

Is there an intermission during SIX?

No. SIX runs for 80 continuous minutes with no intermission. The show is designed to replicate the nonstop energy of a pop concert, with all six queens and the onstage band performing straight through. Plan to use restrooms and visit concessions before the 7:30 PM start time, as there will not be a break until the show ends.

What is the Ladies in Waiting band?

The Ladies in Waiting is the all-female band that performs onstage during every SIX performance. Unlike traditional musicals where the orchestra plays from a pit below the stage, the Ladies in Waiting are fully visible and part of the show's concert staging. The band includes musicians playing guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums, and they remain onstage throughout the entire 80-minute show. Each touring production has its own dedicated band led by a musical director.

How does SIX compare to other Broadway touring shows?

SIX is shorter than most touring Broadway musicals, running just 80 minutes with no intermission compared to the typical two-and-a-half-hour runtime of shows like Hamilton or Wicked. Its concert-style staging and pop music score set it apart from traditional book musicals, creating an experience that feels more like attending a live concert. The show has become especially popular with younger audiences and theatergoers who may not typically attend Broadway shows, thanks to its viral TikTok presence and billion-plus streaming numbers.

What other shows are in the 2026-27 Ameren Illinois Broadway in Peoria season?

SIX is part of the 2026-27 Ameren Illinois Broadway in Peoria season at the Prairie Home Alliance Theater. The season also includes other touring Broadway productions. For the full season lineup, show dates, and subscription packages, visit the American Theatre Guild Peoria page or the Prairie Home Alliance Theater website.

Where can I find official SIX tour information and updates?

The official source for SIX tour dates and information is sixonbroadway.com/ustour, which lists all confirmed North American tour stops including the Peoria engagement. For venue-specific details and season membership information, visit the American Theatre Guild Peoria SIX page. The Prairie Home Alliance Theater website provides parking, accessibility, and venue information. For resale tickets with all-in pricing, visit BigStub.com.