Suffs
Suffs
Jan 2, 2025 | 617 words | Shows
Let me start by saying there are not a lot of current Broadway musicals I am dying to see. Maybe this is a shortcoming of mine, but the music, lyrics and ‘book’ (story line) of many popular musicals often strike me as a little cheesy and a bit thin. So, when my wife and I visited the Big Apple this week and took in the musical Suffs right before it’s nearly year-long run came to an end, I was approaching the show with a sense of obligation.
I knew the subject matter of voting rights for women was serious and worthy, and I had a reasonable knowledge of the struggles’ history. I guess I just didn’t think it would make for a particularly enjoyable night out.
Since this big, expensive Broadway production is closing after less than a year, probably before it could turn much of a profit for its investors, or maybe even earn back their initial investment, the critical mass of theater-goers who can keep successful shows running for years chose not to embrace Suffs, much like I hadn’t.
Given my lack of enthusiasm going in, it was a big surprise to find myself utterly smitten from the opening cords of the overture. And I must say the entire show start-to-finish is a nothing short of a complete triumph. The music has that special something, that bounce. As do the lyrics. The plot – the ‘book’ – does an excellent job of condensing what could have been a meandering story while doing justice to the major points and the overarching theme.
One of the shows many charms is that every part is played by a woman, and each of the handful of male characters are brought off very well. The actress who plays Woodrow Wilson over the course of a decade is especially effective. That role as written manages to be comical and satirical and even farcical at times, making a serious point while avoiding bitter resentment at President Wilson’s ultimate failure to come through for the cause.
Credit the author of the ‘book’ for this and every other deft characterization that gets presented over the course of the evening, and credit all the actresses for bringing this wonderful writing to life.
At dinner before the show, my wife and I were comparing notes on what we knew of the suffragette movement. (Spoiler Alert: She knew more than me.) We were wondering at what point in history the show would start, and what characters from that history would be featured. At one point my wife referenced Swarthmore College graduate Alice Paul (1885-1977), but that name was completely unfamiliar to me.
Once in the theater, as I was reading the program while waiting for the lights to dim, I noticed the very last character listed in the program, at the bottom of a long list of maybe twenty other characters, was the aforementioned Alice Paul. Well, I thought to myself, at least the show would make some small reference to this person with a local-to-us, Philadelphia connection.
Here is another spoiler alert: It turns out Alice Paul is the star of the show, and her character is the through-line of the entire story. Shaina Taub is the actress who plays Paul so endearingly. And hold onto to your hat – she also is responsible for show’s book, music, and lyrics! I’m not the only one who thinks highly of her work, as Taub took home a Tony Award for Best Book and Best Score, and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music.
This is a really moving piece of theatrical entertainment. Run, don’t walk, if a production of Suffs ever comes to a city near you.
Robert J. Cavanaugh, Jr.
bobcavjr@gmail.com