Waltham actress hits the right note in Broadway debut in “Six”

Since her childhood days playing diva Sharpay Evans in “High School Musical” to singing in Waltham’s Show Choir and at Saint Mary Parish, former resident Krystal Hernandez dreamed of reaching Broadway. She saw her dream come true with her debut in “Six”, the Tony Award-winning musical that reimagines the inner lives of the wives of King Henry VIII.

Currently starring as Anna (not Anne) of Cleves in the all-female cast, the Kennedy Middle and Waltham High School graduate’s career took off after she gained invaluable experience performing in Waltham as a child and teen.

“All of my training was because of the public art scene at the Waltham schools,” said the 29-year old, whose parents and sister still live in the Watch City. “It was such a wonderful town to grow up in.”

Hernandez grew up singing in the Saint Mary Parish church choir, where her father was the musical director. Later, she performed on prestigious local stages, including the Wheelock Family Theatre in Boston, the Oberon in Cambridge and Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, R.I.

From Canada to Broadway

When Hernandez’s parents learned she would be playing one of the starring roles in “Six”, she said, “they were so proud. … I’m so honored to be able to represent them and the way that they raised me.”

The performer, who earned a BFA in acting from Salem State University, first played Anna of Cleves after beating out 400 other actors for the role in the Canadian company’s tour of “Six.”

Hernandez, who said she was the only American on the tour, and her husband lived in Canada for about 11 months, not knowing what their next move might be until hearing from her agent about the Broadway job.

“I felt incredibly excited and a little nervous” after learning she had been offered the role. Since she played the same character in Canada, Hernandez felt she knew it well.

The real Anne of Cleves was Henry VIII’s fourth wife and was known as “the great survivor” since she lived a long and comfortable life – unlike some of his other wives –  after the couple’s marriage was annulled.

Some historians suggest Henry VIII felt Anne was “ugly,” which is addressed by Hernandez’s character Anna in a defiant song called “Get Down,” in which she sings:

You, you said that I tricked ya

‘Cause I, I didn’t look like my profile picture

Too, too bad I don’t agree

So I’m gonna hang it up for everyone to see

Hernandez said she reflected on Anne’s bravery given the life-or-death circumstances of such a precarious marriage.

“I was very influenced and mesmerized” by Anne’s ability to talk her way out of the dire situation of being Henry VIII’s wife,” said Hernandez. “She was able to come out on the better side of things and live a pretty decent life.”

When Anna sings those lyrics, she confidently sticks up for herself by refuting the king’s assertion that she’s unattractive.

Hernandez said she is proud of the character’s confidence and ability to understand her own worth. She said she also admires and was influenced by performers like Cardi B, Taraji P. Henson and Sheryl Lee Ralph who didn’t listen to the naysayers and made it to the top.

When asked what she would advise Waltham students hoping for stardom, Hernandez said, “It doesn’t happen overnight … You’re playing the long game.”

She emphasized that those hoping for a career in the entertainment industry “cannot compare [themselves] to somebody else’s trajectory.”

Having a good support system and following uplifting stories and people on social media, especially those who found success later in life, have also been helpful, Hernandez said.

As for what she’d like to do after her run on “Six,” Hernandez said she wants to do “anything and everything.”