The Cast

This is a highly plotted show whereupon songs are especially informative. It is 1913 and Carrie Chapman Catt (Marya Grandy) gives a speech and a song, "Let Mother Vote," as part of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Alice Paul (gifted Maya Keleher) wants, instead, to march on Washington, D.C. Alice sings "Finish the Fight" and gets together with a college friend Lucy Burns (Gwynne Wood). Inez Milholland (Monica Tulia Ramirez) and a Polish union organizer named Ruza Wenclawska (Joyce Meimei Zheng) join to comprise a formidable group. Doris Stevens (Livvy Marcus), a writer by trade, becomes secretary. The strong Ida B. Wells (Danyel Fulton) lends her voice to a group rendition of "Find a Way" and Wells continues with a solo entitled "Wait My Turn." "Great American Bitch" is definitely one of the more rousing production numbers, a well choreographed romp featuring Ruza, Inez, Lucy, Alice and Doris. The women get to the White House to meet with President Woodrow Wilson (Jenny Ashman), who sings "Ladies," but is not particularly helpful. Doris meets Wilson's chief of staff and advisor, Dudley Malone (Brandi Porter). These two individuals, mutually attracted, sing "If We Were Married."

The first act of Suffs is jam packed with specifics and tunes. Director Leigh Silverman and Choreographer Mayte Natalio keep up the pace as one scene flows into the next. Scenic designer Christine Peters enables fluency as many, many set pieces appear and soon thereafter leave the stage. Riccardo Hernández was the original scenic designer for the Broadway production. Shaina Taub's musical compositions are catchy and music supervisor Andrea Grody delivers them precisely. Dani Lee Hutch conducts a large number of instrumentalists. There isn't any fourth wall at the front of the stage which actors need to eliminate to reach the audience. The Bushnell orchestra pit, however, is deep and wide so there's a bit of a gulf between performers and observers even in the first few rows.

The proactive women open the second portion of the show as they stand outside the White House and then sing "The Young Are at the Gates." Alice and her group stage a hunger strike after they are arrested on a minor charge and sing "Hold It Together." The audience hears reprises of "Wait My Turn," "Show Them Who You Are," "Let Mother Vote," "If We Were Married," and "Finish the Fight." The years move along until reaching 1920 and the musical's driving beat does not lag. The second component draws an even keener focus with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment. Ultimately, the time frame moves along to the 1970s when a now seasoned Alice has a discussion with a young woman named Robin (Victoria Pekel) about movement politics and prospects. Alice leads everyone as they resolutely sing "Keep Marching" at the final curtain.

Shaina Taub wrote this immensely exciting, uplifting musical based upon suffragists. She played the role of Alice in the Broadway original and was awarded Tony Awards in 2024 for both Best Book and Best Score. An artist who sings, acts, and plays multiple instruments, Taub has written a musical which is sharply appealing. She is equally proficient with musical compositions and words.

The touring cast is full of spirit and enthusiasm. Maya Keleher is warmly engrossing as Alice Paul. Those close to the stage see that Alice Paul is an earnest, determined woman who asks much of those around her but even more of herself. The talented Keleher was splendid as Natalie Goodman in TheaterWorks/Hartford's presentation of Next to Normal some time ago and she depicts an exceptional Alice.

While many theatregoers are aware of the outcome of the women's struggle, that does not limit the impact of this performance. It's an activist two and one half hour musical which is dynamic from start to finish. Settling in amid frigid outdoor temperatures in Hartford, this expansive artistic group was fresh and ready on opening evening. The versatile Shaina Taub provides the actors and creative team with vigorous compositions. Thus, the well-rehearsed contingent of performers robustly zip forward. One would have to research to determine the historical accuracy of the scripting but much of it is certainly pertinent to this day.

Suffs runs through February 1, 2026, at The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT. For tickets and information, please call 860-987-5900 or visit Bushnell.org.