Suffs Brings the Must-See Story of the Suffragists Struggles to Get the Vote for Women
At the National Theatre with a Tony Award-Winning Score and a Brilliant Cast
Some women of today do not know the struggles our grandmothers and great-grandmothers went through to get the right to vote. Suffs is a captivating musical that tells the story of the selfless women who pleaded, protested, marched, starved, and literally put their lives on the line to achieve parity in the American voting booth. And it’s all set in Washington, DC.
The story seems drawn from a galaxy far, far away – but it isn’t. Suffs opens in 1913 with a group of suffragists headed by the formidable Carrie Chapman Catt, who led a movement of well-coiffed and genteel ladies who spent years seeking a meeting with President Woodrow Wilson and decades trying politely to present their case. Despite his refusal to meet, the ladies continue in their quest by selling doughnuts and holding ladylike tea parties in fancy dresses. They’ve been trying to get the vote for 60 years – yes, you read that right – with zero success, when along comes young Swarthmore graduate Alice Paul, an inspired, take-no-prisoners, all-or-nothing activist to shake things up. (And please, the correct terminology is suffragists, not suffragettes. They deplore the cutesy -ette ending.)
Alice soon breaks ranks with Carrie and forms her own organization bringing in a deeply committed and radical group of women activists – women unafraid to make personal sacrifices to the cause. Alice conceives of a massive women’s march on Washington to include Ida B. Wells, a co-founder of the NAACP and advocate for African American women, and Mary Church Terrell, Well’s cohort, two formidable African American women who had been sidelined by Carrie Catt. The historic march of 200,000 women from around the United States is led by a shield-carrying, helmet-wearing Inez Milholland, a labor lawyer and socialite, riding atop a magnificent white steed.
The musical stars an impressive cast of actors portraying the most influential women activists of the century and gifts us with 33 powerhouse numbers – some stirring, others with a comical touch, especially in the sweet number with Doris Stevens, the organization’s young secretary and Dudley Malone, Wilson’s administrative aide who becomes her ally. The two fall in love despite their differences sealing their commitment with the tune. “If We Were Married”.
Women eventually got the right to vote in 1920, but you may not know about the ongoing struggles to achieve parity for women in all aspects of American life. Women are still waiting for the Equal Rights Amendment to be ratified! These early fights are truly an eye-opener delivered with both brio and aplomb by the show’s brilliant creatives and this tremendous cast.
If you have ever had to fight for your rights, marched to be heard, been sidelined as a woman, or want to teach your children and grandchildren what women went through to achieve the vote, this show is a must see. I can report that the audience of young, old, women, children, and men too, went wild with every song and every joke. This 2024 Tony Award-winning “Best Book of a Musical” and “Best Original Score”, both won by Shaina Taub, offers a history lesson cleverly presented with humor, pathos, vigor and a Broadway-worthy cast.
The all-female cast features Marya Grandy as Carrie Chapman Catt; Maya Keleher as Alice Paul; Livvy Marcus as Doris Stevens; Brandi Porter as Dudley Malone; Monica Tulia Ramirez as Inez Milholland; Danyel Fulton as Ida B. Wells; Gwynne Wood as Lucy Burns; Joyce Meimei Zheng as Ruza Wenclawska; Victoria Pekel as Phyllis Terrell/Robin; Trisha Jeffrey as Mary Church Terrell; Laura Stracko as Alva Belmont/Phoebe Burn; Tami Dahbura as Mollie Hay; Jenny Ashman as President Woodrow Wilson; Anna Bakun as Speaker of the House; Jenna Lea Rosen, Ensemble/Major Sylvester/Senator Burn; and Gretchen Shope, Ensemble/Mrs. Herndon.
Directed by Leigh Silverman; Book, Music & Lyrics by Shaina Taub; Choreography by Mayte Natalio; Music Supervisor, Andrea Grody; Original Broadway Scenic Design by Ricardo Hernandez; Tour Scenic Design by Christine Peters; Music Director Dani Lee Hutch; Costume Design by Paul Tazewell; Lighting Design by Lap Chi Chu; Makeup Design by Joe Dulude II; Sound Design by Jason Crystal; Hair & Wig Design by Charles G. LaPointe; Orchestrations by Michael Starobin; Vocal Arrangements by Shaina Taub & Andrea Grody.
Through June 28th at The National Theatre DC, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004. For tickets and information call the box office at 202.628.6161 or visit www.BroadwayatTheNational.com.
