An unusual show with only six cast members kicks off Oak Park and River Forest High School’s 2024-2025 theater season.

“SIX,” written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Ross and directed by OPRF theater department chair Michelle Bayer, tells the story of King Henry VIII’s six wives and how they reached their fates. 

OPRF senior Emily Churchouse, who plays the third wife, said, “I originally saw it on the West End with the original cast in 2019. I was just in shock at how different and cool it was and thought I’ll probably never be in it…It just really feels like a full circle moment for me and my theater journey so far.”

In addition to Churchouse, other cast members include seniors Marin Chalmers (fourth wife) and Zaria Larnell (sixth wife). The cast also includes three freshmen: Laura Gimesky (first wife), Roxy Salzman (second wife) and Margot Schneider (fifth wife). Six “Ladies in Waiting” serve as understudies for the main cast. 

“It’s just a very important message with a very important style of music theater, and it’s just so cool to be able to do that, and such a fun opportunity,” said Churchouse. 

There will be five performances of the show. The main cast performs Oct. 4, 5 and 11 at 7 p.m. On Oct. 13, the Ladies in Waiting perform at 4 p.m. and the main cast performs again at 7 p.m.  Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for senior citizens as well as OPRF students.