Theater Review – October 17, 2026

INSIGHTFUL “SUFFS” REMINDS US THAT EQUALITY IS STILL NOT TOTALLY ACHIEVED

“Suffs”

The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hormel Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Getting women the vote in this country wasn’t easy and in the early 20^th century the right became a major issue until it finally came.

This long-fought battle is brilliantly outlined and thoroughly explained in “Suffs,” by Shaina Taub who wrote the entire musical including a pleasing score and insightful historical details.  The show is brought to sparkling life in The Phoenix Theatre Company (TPTC) sharply energetic Chelsea Anderson staging.  The production is enhanced by a superlative cast who bring each woman who played a role in the fight to throbbing life.

The show makes the voting rights battle a graphic display and makes often blurry historical details clearer.  For example, many consider President Woodrow Wilson a major factor in gaining women voting rights, but he really didn’t believe in them.

The show also exposes another right the vote did not bring – equality among all voters.  Yes, White women obtained the vote but ethnic diversity wasn’t part of this conflict.  All men and women still could not vote.  “Suffs” teaches things history often left unclear.

The tough fight for the vote is articulately told through probing dialogue and a collection of well written tunes that paint the picture more graphically.  “Suffs” won Tony Awards for Taub’s book and score making the show an important and thoughtful musical that provides insight into this critical part of American history.

“Suffs” can’t be significant without an exemplary production and that is just what TPTC’s outstanding production achieves.  The show uses only female performers with the men essayed by women.  Alice Paul’s role in the fight is major and Cassie Chilton brings the character to rich life as she moderates her strong beliefs to achieve the nearly impossible goals.

Jasmyn Gade brings Doris Stevens’ personal fight to brimming light.  Chanel Bragg creates Mary Church Terrell to animation as an important Black woman who is ultimately disappointed because she doesn’t obtain voting rights for all.  Elyssa Blonder makes Lucy Burns an important spokesperson for the effort.  Jane Bunting brings the biased and bigoted Woodrow Wilson to a revealing and ultimately negative impression.  There isn’t a misstep anywhere in the large cast and Alan J. Plado’s orchestra lends strong musical energy.  Costumes are appropriately historic.

“Suffs” is a thoughtful but entertaining examination of a critical historical issue but uses it to remind that full equality is yet to be achieved.  “Suffs” continues through November 29.  To order tickets to either show, call The Phoenix Theatre Company’s box office at 602-254-2151 or order tickets online at www.phoenixtheatre.com.

Grade: A