Some art entertains, some art educates, and occasionally you get a fantastic confluence where a show does both tremendously well. Suffs, the new Broadway musical about the history of the women’s suffrage movement, accomplishes the mission of delivering a heartfelt and personal story while also educating us better than many history classes. Shaina Taub, the creator/composer/lyricist/librettist/star of this musical, has managed to take vital history and deliver it in a beautiful story of women’s resilience and action.
Suffs, now playing at the Music Box Theatre, tells the story of suffragist leaders in the fight to pass the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. Its primary focus is on Alice Paul, a suffragist leader of the National Women’s Party, who is insatiable in her quest for justice. Together, with other suffragist leaders such as Lucy Burns and Inez Milholland, they raised hell in unconventional ways at the time to make their case for voting rights.
The musical also highlights suffragists working to achieve the same goal but with other methods. It intelligently explores the generational gap with Carrie Chapman Catt, who believed in a more proper way of enacting change, as well as the racial divide with Ida B. Wells and Mary Church Terrell, who stressed the inclusion of Black women. Taub’s genius writing uses a nuanced approach to these differing views, never telling you who to side with, and even digging deeper into the complexities of these women. One standout moment is when an introspective Catt vents her frustration with Paul calling her obsolete, after everything she did to lay the groundwork for their movement. Another is when Wells and Terrell debate the value of being involved, even as the movement didn’t center Black voices. Suffs is brilliantly written by Taub, taking what could’ve been a simple musical history lesson, and instead crafting a layered treatise on the suffragist movement.
The performances are outstanding, from Tony winners to Broadway debuts. Shaina Taub, who became the second woman ever to both solely create and also star in her own show, portrays Alice Paul. Taub, playing Paul as a feisty Jack Russell Terrier-type, clearly knows her character inside and out. Paul was unrelenting in her quest to end injustice, something the musical explores beautifully in its final number. Around her, Taub assembled a stellar company in this all-female cast. Jenn Colella, a Tony nominee for Come From Away, plays Carrie Chapman Catt with the nuance she deserves, as well as bringing her booming voice. Nikki M. James, a Tony winner for The Book of Mormon, plays Ida B. Wells with a righteous frustration and crisp singing. Hannah Cruz, making her Broadway debut, portrays Inez Milholland with a remarkably powerful voice that can reach beyond the rafters. Ally Bonino plays Lucy Burns with humor and heart, demonstrating the mighty friendship between Burns and Paul. With additional terrific performances from Anastacia McCleskey as Mary, Kim Blanck as Ruza, and Nadia Dandashi as Doris, there truly isn’t a weak link in the cast.
The score of Suffs is strong, with all the songs furthering the plot and character, while set to catchy melodies. “Finish the Fight” is a stirring I Want song, The March is powerful and emotional, Great American Bitch is a hilarious perspective on feminism, and Keep Marching is a poignant anthem about the never-ending fight for justice.
What Shaina Taub was able to do in blending music, lyrics, and story together into a beautiful tapestry is nothing short of remarkable. Suffs is a powerful and emotionally resonant piece of theater that makes you laugh, cry, learn, and think. Taub took an original premise and created one of the best-written musicals to grace Broadway in years.