‘SUFFS’ Brings Unsung Suffragist Stories to The Public Theater
The new off-Broadway musical details the history of the fight to ratify the 19th Amendment and guarantee women’s right to vote.
“Suffs” follows a young passionate suffragist and tells the story of the pioneers of women’s rights.
May 4, 2022
Maybe you remember hearing about Susan B. Anthony or Elizabeth Cady Stanton in a history course, or maybe the meaning of the 19th Amendment is familiar. But many history courses gloss over the striking truth of the decadeslong fight for women’s suffrage.
“Suffs,” an off-Broadway musical written by and starring Shaina Taub, tells the true story of some of the earliest pioneers of women’s rights. “Suffs” began performances at The Public Theater on March 13 with an entirely female or nonbinary cast and a completely sold-out run.
“Suffs” follows Alice Paul (Taub), a young, passionate suffragist. Paul is determined to ensure the ratification of a constitutional amendment (which eventually becomes the 19th) to guarantee women’s voting rights.
Frustrated with the tentative activism of older suffragists like the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association Carrie Chapman Catt (Jenn Colella), Paul risks everything for her cause.
Her dedication is so strong that she and fellow “suffs” (most distinctly Ally Bonino, Phillipa Soo, Hannah Cruz and Nadia Dandashi) endure everything from violent riots to a gut-wrenching seven months in prison, where Paul stages a hunger strike.
Eventually, President Woodrow Wilson (Grace McLean) expresses his support for the 19th Amendment. Even then, Paul refuses to celebrate her victory, turning instead to her next steps.
“Suffs” also promotes a message that may strike inspiration for college students in particular, especially in the socio-political climate of 2022.
Notably, “Suffs” also finds historical nuance by examining white feminism and emphasizing the role of Black women in the women’s suffrage movement.
Ida B. Wells — played by the fiercely talented Nikki M. James, whose performance earned her a Drama League Award nomination in late April — is a leading cause of conflict for Paul. When Southern white women threaten to avoid the monumental 1913 Women’s Suffrage Procession if Black women are also in attendance, Paul selfishly insists that Wells and other Black women “wait their turn” for justice.
Wells fires back with the show-stopping song “Wait My Turn,” as she attempts to teach Paul that there is no victory for women unless all women are victorious. By highlighting the performative nature of white feminism, Taub’s story sheds light on the intertwined history of racial justice and gender equality.
With a focus on the impact of the young women, “Suffs” emphasizes the power each individual has to make progressive change.
“Suffs” also promotes a message that may strike inspiration for college students in particular, especially in the socio-political climate of 2022.
The production takes special care to emphasize the impact of young people in progressive movements. After all, Paul herself was only 28 when she fearlessly organized her first women’s march.
With a focus on the impact of the young women, “Suffs” emphasizes the power each individual has to make progressive change. The final moments of the show drive home a recurring message of how much a movement truly depends on collaboration. As the “Suffs” ensemble declares in the closing number, “the work is never over.”
“(It shows) how every movement is built upon the work of the women before us, and we are just standing on their shoulders,” Associate Producer of “Suffs” Morgan Steward, Fordham College at Lincoln Center ’19, said.
Despite the popular comparison, “Suffs” is no “Hamilton 2” — aside from its Public Theater debut and the beloved actress Phillipa Soo, the two historical tales have very little in common. “Suffs” brings an entirely different feeling to its contemporary score, and the events of each musical take place over a century apart.
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After several canceled performances due to COVID-19, “Suffs” has extended their closing date for a third time to May 29. The production is offering limited but affordable tickets for students: $20 rush tickets are in high demand, but they are available every day at 9 a.m. on TodayTix. With a budget-friendly option and subject matter so integral to the formation of our country, “Suffs” is certainly a must-see for students, especially those passionate about social justice.
“Seeing the finale of our show, every time I watch it it fires me up,” Steward said. “It makes me want to immediately leave the theater and go do something.”
CORRECTION: A previous version of this article used the title suffragette instead of suffragist; it has been corrected to reflect the change in terminology.
