Playhouse Square’s touring production of ‘Suffs’ inspires

The road to women’s voting rights in the United States has been a rocky one. As far back as the 1840s and probably even earlier citizens began to clamor that this basic right be allowed to women. In 1848 the Seneca Falls Convention (the first women’s rights convention) passed a resolution in favor of women’s suffrage. Over time various states acting on their own voted to grant women the right to vote (Wyoming – 1869, Utah – 1870, Colorado – 1893, Idaho – 1896, Washington – 1910, California – 1911, Oregon and Arizona – 1912, Montana – 1914, North Dakota, New York and Rhode Island – 1917 and Louisiana, Oklahoma and Michigan in 1918).

In spite of this ground swell of support as well as the efforts of The National American Suffrage Association (NAWSA), The Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WTCU), The Congressional Union For Women’s Suffrage and The National Women’s Party (NWP) all who were at odds with each other over policy. They all agreed that women desreved to vote it was how to go about getting the change that they disagreed on. In spite of the infighting or perhaps because of it it was not until 1920 that the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution was passed and ratified by Congress and the States finally granting white women the right to vote.

The biggest road block was President Woodrow Wilson who served from 1913 to 1921 and was firmly against women’s suffrage as well as the voting rights of African Americans, Native Americans and Immigrants who had became citizens. A Southern Democrat who lived through the Civil War and Reconstruction his sexist policies stymied the efforts of women’s suffrage until public opinion forced him to change.

As for African American women, in spite of the Fifteenth Amendment added in 1870 preventing states from denying the right to vote on grounds of “race, color or previous condition of servitude” it was not until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that full voting freedom was established for African Americans, both men and women.

Even today the right for women to vote is still being attacked. Many far-right figures and organizations such as the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches are calling for the repeal of the Nineteenth Amendment in favor of “household voting” where each household would receive a singular vote with the husband getting the final word. Thus the battle continues.

The touring Broadway show by Shaina Taub (book, music and lyrics) “Suffs” currently on stage in the Connor Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio spells out the troubles and sacrifices made by the countless men and women who fought for this basic right. The show is part of the KeyBank Broadway Series.

The show begins with Carrie Chapman Catt (Marya Grandy) giving a speech (“Let Mother Vote”) at the 1913 NAWSA Convention whose method of slow progress through State legislators is being questioned. Alice Paul (Maya Keleher) confronts Carrie with a proposal for a women’s march in Washington D.C. on the day before Woodrow Wilson’s Inauguration Celebration in order to put pressure on the President to support a federal amendment for women’s suffrage. Carrie refuses and Alice resolves to see her plan through (“Finish The Fight”).

With the help of a college friend, Lucy Burns (Gwynne Wood), Polish Labor Organizer Ruza Wenclawska (Joyce Meimei Zheng) and visiting Nebraska college student, Doris Stevens (Livvy Marcus) who becomes their secretary (“Find A Way”) they break free from the NAWSA and plan the march. They are joined by suffrigist, lawyer and peace activist Inez Milholland.

Things are going well as the march approaches with thousands of women committed to attend when problems ensue. Southern delegations object to Black women marching in their groups. Prominent African-American journalist and activist Ida B. Wells (Danyel Fulton) arrives to confront the organizers saying that she will march with her state’s delegation or she will withdraw her support (“Wait My Turn”).

The day of the march finds Black Activist Mary Church Terrell and her daughter Phyllis meeting up with Ida. Mary believes in “dignified agitation” of working within the system that causes a riff between the two women (“Terrell’s Theme”). A new group of marchers made up of Black Sorority Sisters is formed.

With Inez on horseback the march begins in full regalia. As the women parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, drunken men on hand for the President’s Inauguration become violent against some of the marchers. Inez uses the horse to break their ranks and lead the women safely through as the Suffregettes succeed in completing the march (“The March (We Demand Equality)”).

Back at the headquarters the women celebrate their success but Doris is troubled over having been called a “bitch” by a counter protester. Alice, Ruza, Inez and Lucy encourage Doris to embrace the new title (“Great American Bitch”). Carrie offers NAWSA’s backing even though she disapproves of their tactics. The newly formed Congressional Union (CU) for Woman Suffrage goes to the White House to meet with President Wilson who “politics” them with vague promises while refusing to publicly supporting their cause (“Ladies”).

Alice’s commitment takes a toll on her personal and social life but she feels the effort is worth the sacrifice (“Worth It”). Doris meets Wilson’s chief of staff, Dudley Field Malone (Brandi Porter) and during a discussion over suffrage rights fall in love (“If We Were Married”).

At the 1916 NAWSA Convention a riff develops as the issue of the Black Women’s vote is pondered, while some want to disrupt Wilson’s reelection bid and become more radical in their protests. Alice refers to the “irrelevant old fogies” which angers Carrie (“The Convention – Part One”) which has Carrie resenting to her being pushed aside (“This Girl”).

Carrie condemns Alice who in turns starts The National Woman’s Party (NWP) recruiting wealthy socialite Alva Belmont (Laura Stracko) to fund their new organization (“Alva Belmont”). The NWP plans a campaign tour to fight against Wilson’s reelection in states with women’s voting rights. Inez tries to refuse due to exhaustion but Alice convinces her to go (“Show Them Who You Are”). In spite of the effort, Wilson is reelected and Inez collapses and dies making a speech. The group holds a vigil (“How Long”) as they regroup.

This is an absolutely superb show with fantastic acting, singing and dancing by a great all female cast. Maya Keleher as Alice is a fire brand bringing real emotion to the part. Monica Tulia Ramirez as Inez Milholland brings a lot of brass to the role. Livvy Marcus as Doris Stevens is the sparkle the show needs. Gwynne Wood as Lucy Burns plays the role of moral support for Alice to perfection. Joyce Meimei Zheng as Ruza Wenclawska brings real power to the stage. Marya Grandy as Carrie Chapman Catt brings an old school sensibility to the proceedings. The interaction between Mary Church Terrell as Trisha Jeffrey and Danyel Fulton as Ida B. Wells speaks volumes of truth. Lastly, Jenny Ashman as President Woodrow Wilson and Brandi Porter as Dudley Malone work extremely well together.

The moving stage sets (originally by Riccardo Hernandez with tour design by Christine Peters) works very well in framing the story. Special props to Paul Tazewell for the costume design. Lap Chi Chu’s lighting design and Jason Crystal’s sound design are refreshingly on mark. Dani Lee Hutch leads an orchestra of thirteen musicians in a flawless musical score. The show is perfectly directed by Leigh Silverman.

With the threats against our basic American rights being under fire from the current administration and Congress in Washington D.C., “Suffs” is a call to arms. Sometimes theater needs to remind each of us of our rights and duties as citizens. It was well noted by audience applause when segments of the show reminded us of current conditions and what we need to protect our rights against tyranny. Support this show! 8647 and VOTE BLUE!

The touring Playhouse Square production “Suffs” will be on stage in the Connor Palace Theatre through February 22, 2026. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.playhousesquare.org/ or call (216) 241-6000.