Theater Review – October 15, 2025

“SUFFS” PRESENTS THE WOMEN’S VOTING RIGHTS STRUGGLE WITH RAMIFICATIONS TO TODAY’S CHALLENGES

“Suffs”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

The Tony Award-winning musical “Suffs” deals effectively and blazingly with women’s suffrage and their early 20^th century goal to win voting rights already granted to American men.  The musical’s look at the phenomenon is fascinating because it relates to various contemporary struggles today.  It also demonstrates graphically that the women’s voting rights battle succeeded by employing a variety of approaches prompted by the different generations involved in the fight.

The show is populated only with female performers who play all roles including the men.  It is a strange writing distinction because it was the men who proved inflexible and had to be convinced of the movement’s ambition.  The reaction is mixed to the musical’s creator Shaina Taub’s approach.  My companion felt having all female performers stressed the musical’s feminine perspective.  The person sitting next to me agreed with my feelings that having male actors playing such luminaries as Woodrow Wilson would have intensified the women’s right to vote.

What the musical does well is demonstrate how different generational manners helped achieve the aim.  Younger proponents handle the challenge more aggressively with little subtlety while the older generation tempers its beliefs with caution and pleasantries. Both factions strongly wish to attain the ultimate goal.  By the show’s upbeat finale, the women, of course, get the vote but only in the period’s context.  Just white women will vote and it will be years before ALL women can cast ballots. The pleasant score is used to provide definitive enforcement of expressed desires and ideas.

With sharp direction by Leigh Silverman and effective historical choreography by Mayte Natalio, the musical dashes effectively with rapid and convincing vigor as the story unfolds dynamically.

The touring cast couldn’t be stronger.  Maya Keleher grows from the young and steadfastly determined Alice Paul to a more mature, centered, and calmer persona. Jenny Ashman shines in the tough role of two-faced President Wilson who privately did not support women’s voting rights. Trisha Jeffrey’s steadfast Mary Church Terrell is a winning character in the fight.  While these performers shine in major roles, the entire ensemble enact the many movement contributors with dispatch and clear definition stressing the unique characteristics of each participant.

On opening night, ASU Vice President for Cultural Affairs and Executive Director of ASU Gammage Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, introduced Arizona’s Governor Katie Hobbs who proclaimed “Suffs Day” as the 105th anniversary of the 19^th amendment was celebrated.  They pointed out that Arizona granted women the vote prior to the amendment’s passage.

“Suffs” is an engaging musical as it replays history in a vibrant and meaningful way to existing audiences who face similar challenges.  Perhaps “Suffs” will help additional societal changes occur. “Suffs” continues through Sunday, October 19. To order tickets, call the ASU Gammage box office at 480-965-3434 or order tickets online at www.asugammage.com.

Grade: A