Broadway Breakdown – Bonus! SIX w/ Kelsie Watts
Host: Matt Koplik
Guest: Kelsie Watts (Jane Seymour in SIX on Broadway)
Date: March 9, 2025
Episode Overview
This energetic bonus episode of Broadway Breakdown dives deep into the phenomenon of SIX: The Musical, featuring new Broadway queen Kelsie Watts (currently starring as Jane Seymour). Host Matt Koplik and Kelsie discuss the show's history, the audition journey, character insights, vocal technique, and the empowering messages behind this modern hit. Their lively conversation is peppered with fun anecdotes, industry wisdom, and the signature sassy, passionate tone that defines the show.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. What Is SIX? (02:37)
- Kelsey explains the premise for newcomers:
- SIX centers on the six wives of Henry VIII, staged as a high-energy pop concert where the queens compete for who had the "worst life."
- Heavy audience interaction, Beyoncé concert vibes, and "an hour and a half of pure intensity" (02:37).
- "I've learned more about history in the past, like two months than I have in my entire life." – Kelsey Watts (02:39)
- Matt notes the show is considered a blast but "deceivingly difficult" for performers (03:41).
2. Kelsey's Unconventional Road to Broadway (04:45)
- Background: First professional musical since high school, mainly worked in music, not musical theater.
- Discovery story: While performing on a showboat gig, Kelsey is approached by Roberta Duchak, music director for SIX, without knowing her status.
- Long casting journey: Multiple years of callbacks, feedback, and self-improvement, including intensive acting work with coach Benjamin Shaw.
- Persistence and Professionalism:
- On asking for feedback: "Do you have, like, specific feedback, like, things that I can work on?" – Kelsey (07:09)
- Matt advises it's not taboo to reach out for feedback – “It’s professional, it's personal, and I think a lot of people respect that." (09:20)
- Finally cast: After years of work, training, and near-misses, Kelsey is officially invited to join Broadway's SIX as Jane Seymour in October 2024.
3. Lessons from Bootcamp & Broadway (11:00)
- Kelsey’s approach: Emphasizes always seeking feedback, observing Broadway veterans, and learning from choreographers and directors.
- Ensemble dynamic: “There’s no ego… no drama ever… It’s okay to mess up, it’s okay to make mistakes. Like, it’s amazing.” (12:36)
- On learning the show: "A big part of this show was learning how to learn the show." (13:22)
4. Character Work: Becoming Jane Seymour (13:42)
- Character arc: Jane starts awkward, finds her voice in ‘Heart of Stone,’ then fully embraces her unique self.
- Choreography as storytelling: Each queen’s number transforms the ensemble into different roles (back-up dancers, gossips, supporters), and Kelsey delves into how Jane morphs throughout the show (14:48).
- Easter eggs: “It’s really the little Easter eggs… if you watch the ensemble while the other queen is doing their thing, we all have very different personalities.” (16:40)
5. Interpreting “Heart of Stone” – Vocal & Emotional Journey
How her interpretation changed:
- At auditions: Attempted to relate at surface level; “I guess I’ll just try to sing my face off in this song and hope to God it’s great.” (17:27)
- On Broadway: Research and empathy drive a deeper understanding; Jane Seymour’s choices as survival and agency in a world with limited female autonomy (20:20).
- Emotional arc: “She discovers that she’s allowed to finally feel in this song… it’s years and years of things just bubbling up, bubbling up, bubbling up and, like, letting it go.” (22:28)
- Matt draws parallels to Sondheim and film moments of emotional breakthroughs (23:32).
Notable Quote:
“When I started to learn more about Jane and who she was as a human, it gave me a completely different perspective of how to portray her in the song ‘Heart of Stone.’” – Kelsey (20:50)
6. The Writing of “Heart of Stone” (28:36)
- The ballad offers the audience—and performer—a break from the show’s high-octane pace.
- True build: “You don’t even sing a big note until like, minute four of the song.” (27:58)
- Favorite lyric/section: Second verse, for its nuanced release: “There’s a but there. Yes, I love you, but I know, like, without my son, like, you wouldn’t love me.” (28:48)
- Doubt & affirmation: Jane questions her own resolve up through the first chorus, building to affirmation as the song progresses (32:11, 36:16).
7. The Vocal Demands of SIX (36:43)
- Transition from group numbers to solo: Adjusting energy from big BGVs (background vocals) to solo ballads.
- Literal technical challenge: "The C-sharp is on my break. The Passaggio, if you will… I have to say ‘yay’ instead of ‘yeah’, because ‘yeah’ does not work for that note in that specific part of my voice." (37:55)
- Routine: Arrives hours early to physically and vocally warm up, obsesses over vocal health (nasal rinses, steaming, etc.) (40:07)
- No hiding: “There are no backing tracks. No.” (43:10)
- Classical training: “Did opera for a long time… it helps with technique so much.” (43:44)
8. Fandom & Community (45:20)
- SIX fans at stage door and online: “They’ve been awesome. I already have, like, some fan art… pins and bracelets. I’m so grateful.” (45:27)
- Intentional about fan interactions: Tries to go out after every show to connect.
9. On-Stage & Costume Easter Eggs (46:01)
- Jane Seymour’s costume: Soft princess skirt (vs. “armor” corsets of others) reflects Seymour’s gentle and guarded personality.
- “The second I put that wig on, I feel like a Disney princess… plays into the only one he truly loved. Much softer, much more of a princess of Genovia kind of.” (47:35)
10. Women Supporting Women & Empowerment (49:44)
- Group dynamics: Notable on-stage moments where the queens support each other, especially Parr’s role in “turning it all around.”
- Parr’s intervention: “Maybe we don’t compare trauma or abuse for the biggest cheer…” (49:48)
- Empowering message: “Your past does not define you… you have the power to do that—you have the power to make your story what you want.” – Kelsey (51:50)
- Inclusivity: Both agree the show’s themes are universal, not only for women but all audiences (52:46).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
Kelsey on the process:
“Fun fact, I’ve never done musical theater professionally. I have not done a musical since high school...” (04:45)
On perseverance:
"It was kind of just like a year, each year I got—I got a call like once a year and I was like, okay, cool..." (07:18)
Professional advice:
“It’s not super taboo to reach out to casting directors to ask for feedback… be prepared for whatever someone has to say.” – Matt (10:22)
On building confidence:
“Her arc is, like, development through the show, which I really didn’t realize, but... she has this entire process of, like, development...” – Kelsey (15:55)
On Emotional Breakthrough:
“[Heart of Stone] is her just, like, insane release of emotion… years and years of things just bubbling up, bubbling up, bubbling up and letting it go.” – Kelsey (22:28)
On audience connection:
“I think that’s why people love your show is because it’s... not put on... you are just you.” – Kelsey on Matt’s podcast style (60:49)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------| | 02:37 | Kelsey describes SIX's plot and impact | | 04:45 | Kelsey recounts her unique journey to Broadway | | 11:00 | Lessons from SIX bootcamp and Broadway rehearsal | | 14:48 | Developing Jane Seymour as a character | | 17:23 | Evolving interpretation of “Heart of Stone” | | 28:36 | Ballad structure and its importance | | 32:11 | Portraying Jane Seymour’s doubts and agency | | 36:43 | The vocal demands and technique for SIX | | 45:27 | Interacting with the show’s fan base | | 46:01 | Costume Easter eggs and ensemble details | | 49:44 | Queenly dynamics/sisterhood/empowerment message | | 51:50 | The universal themes of empowerment in SIX |
Episode Tone & Style
The conversation is rapid-fire, brimming with Matt’s signature irreverent, opinionated humor (“I am the most opinionated... and then it stuck.” – Matt, 01:14), balanced by genuine and often vulnerable reflection from Kelsey about imposter syndrome, artistic growth, and the complexity of bringing Jane Seymour to life. Profanity and playful asides are present but never overshadow the depth of discussion.
Closing Thoughts
Matt and Kelsey underscore the importance of resilience, openness, and the artistry involved in taking on a role in a contemporary musical theater juggernaut like SIX. The episode also highlights the collaborative and supportive company culture, and the show's message that past trauma doesn’t define one’s future—an anthem anyone can relate to.
Featured Guest & Where to Find Her
Kelsie Watts
- Instagram: @kelsiewattsmusic
- TikTok: @kelsiewatts
- YouTube: Kelsie Watts
Matt Koplik
- Instagram: @mattkoplik
Diva Sendoff
The episode closes with a salute to Broadway’s own Jessica Vosk, as chosen by Kelsie.
This summary captures both the rowdy spirit and the richness of insight from the episode, making it a must-read for both SIX fans and Broadway newcomers alike.