History tells us that women have been marginalized across many generations and cultures. Disappointingly, the modern era is still trying to legislate what a woman can and can’t do. The women’s suffrage movement makes a great platform for examining the advancement of human rights, and Shaina Taub’s production is an exhilarating exploration of those events which began as early as the 1840s but didn’t catch fire until the turn of the century.
The story focuses on several women who approach the issue in different ways. Carrie Chapman Catt (Marya Grandy) has been at the forefront of the cause for a long time. She hopes that with diplomacy and charm she can ease President Woodrow Wilson (Jenny Ashman) into supporting the movement. In her view, upstart Alice Paul (Maya Keleher) has brashly entered the fray and may set the cause back by agitating Wilson. Though the two women share convictions, the younger Paul is impatient for change.
Paul has recruited others who are eager to follow her. Inez Milholland (Amanda K. Lopez), Lucy Burns (Gwynne Wood), Ruza Wenclawska (Joyce Meimei Zheng) and Doris Stevens (Livvy Marcus). Taub creates a microcosm in which these women, from shy to radical, interact through the several years it takes for ratification.
Grandy is wonderful as the upright and proper president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Keleher inhabits her character passionately through the trials the women endure, including a painful stint in jail. Wood provides some humor as she navigates Paul’s reckless fervor. Zheng captures Wenclawska’s ardor as she finds a cause she can fight for. Understudy Lopez steps in at the last minute as Milholland and delivers a memorable performance in a difficult role.
Also joining the cause is Ida B. Wells (Danyel Fulton), promoting the cause for back women who long for rights denied them. Along with Mary Church Terrell (Trisha Jeffrey), they remind us that it will take another forty years or so before being granted the same rights. Young Phyllis Terrell (Victoria Pekel) presents a hopeful future for her generation.
Ashman makes a fine president with smarmy charm and no small amount of political chutzpah. Playing his political ally, Brandi Porter as Dudley Malone stands out as he evolves into supporting the women and finding romance with Doris Stevens. Marcus is a standout in this role. This racially diverse and binary cast is Taub’s vision of effective theater.
Musicals can sometimes move sluggishly along, but director Leigh Silverman manages the large cast smoothly. The many scene changes and sung-through lyrics could have bogged the story down. Instead, the two-and-a-half hours are a delight start to finish.
While Taub’s lyrics are the weak link in the production, the music is rousing (“Let Mother Vote”), humorous (“Great American Bitch”), charming (“If We Were Married”), inspiring (“Keep Marching”), and evocative (“I Was Here”). Music Director Dani Lee Hutch with Michael Starobin’s orchestrations give the show its exciting appeal. Like Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, the music captures the energy of the time period and the spirit of the outstanding cast. Andrea Grody’s music supervision and Mayte Natalio’s choreography round out the impressive touring team.
Original Broadway scenic design by Riccardo Hernandez is skillfully carried out and adapted by Christine Peters. The movable set allows for elegant scene changes from street marches to campaign headquarters. Particularly notable are Paul Tazewell’s colorful costumes. Sound design by Jason Crystal and Lighting design by Lap Chi Chu again demonstrate their continuing skill in musical theater.
The Broadway production, while critically praised, had trouble with ticket sales and closed after 301 performances. Fortunately for regional audiences, Suffs’ touring show is giving a larger audience a chance to see and hear this highly entertaining history lesson. The opening night audience was on its feet at the end to award the cast enthusiastic kudos. It really is a must see show.
The production continues at the Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd. From November 18-December 7.
