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Suffs
A musical one hundred years in the making,
Suffs
brings to life a complicated chapter in the ongoing battle for the right to vote.
Written by one of the most exciting new voices in theater, this epic new musical takes an unflinching look at the unsung trailblazers of the American women’s suffrage movement. In the seven years leading up to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, an impassioned group of suffragists—“Suffs” as they called themselves—took to the streets, pioneering protest tactics that transformed the country. They risked their lives as they clashed with the president, the public, and each other. A thrilling story of brilliant, flawed women working against and across generational, racial, and class divides, Suffs boldly explores the victories and failures of a fight for equality that is still far from over.
Written by one of the most exciting new voices in theater, this epic new musical takes an unflinching look at the unsung trailblazers of the American women’s suffrage movement. In the seven years leading up to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, an impassioned group of suffragists—“Suffs” as they called themselves—took to the streets, pioneering protest tactics that transformed the country. They risked their lives as they clashed with the president, the public, and each other. A thrilling story of brilliant, flawed women working against and across generational, racial, and class divides, Suffs boldly explores the victories and failures of a fight for equality that is still far from over.
144 pages, Paperback
Published November 26, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 1, 2024
One of the most moving musicals. Shaina is a modern Sondheim brilliantly weaving lyrics with music to tell an important and educational story in an enjoyable way.
February 12, 2026
When I saw this on Broadway during previews, I felt like it was Hamilton for women. Overall, I was glad I saw it, but something about it made me feel cold? Did I feel closer to Hamilton because my political upbringing stems from my Latino father over my white mother? Or am I a closeted misogynist?
Revisiting this via book, I think I can finally crack down on what doesn’t work for me here. Hear me out: I think Alice Paul, our main character, is the least fleshed out woman here. I think Taub assumes all the events happening around her will give her depth, but ironically, everything interesting about her stems from other people, like Carrie’s rivalry with her or her friendship with Inez. I was an Alexander Hamilton sympathizer when I was 15 and Joan of Arc is my Catholic confirmation saint name… Alice should be a match made in heaven with me!! But her musical motifs are too contemporary & plain and we never get any vulnerability/insight into her as a person. We know her mother died, we know she played field hockey in college with Lucy (even Lucy gets a song that fleshes her out!), we know she’s avoiding marriage. Taub throws out references to Jo March like that will carry all the character work but it falls flat. Alexander Hamilton is a stronger character than Alice Paul because we see his faults (Reynolds Pamphlet) and get a window into his psyche (“Hurricane”). We get to see him be silly, be brash, be messy. Even in Alice’s big moment in prison (Insane), we never learn anything new about her fight for freedom, just that she doesn’t want to justify herself, which is lazy writing (I wish she was explicitly gay for Inez haha). We hear all about who she is, but we never see her personality outside of the movement’s actions.
I also think this is why the conclusion ultimately falls flat for me. It’s compelling that Alice adopts Carrie’s “This Girl” and ends up in her position as the Old Guard, but I also don’t think it’s fully believable? I think the show even tries to justify this change by making the new young activist annoying and disrespectful with her camera LOL… it’s giving millennial hate towards Gen Z… By the end of the show, we understand Carrie. Not only through her backstory (“This Girl”) but the reveal that she’s a closeted sapphic for Mollie. We know what happens to the rest of Alice’s team (except for Lucy lowkey because all she does is quit and promises to keep in touch??), but now we jump how many years into the future and I guess Alice is working on the ERA? And she still feels guilty over Inez’s sacrifice (gay?!?!)? Lucy’s last comment before the finale is that Alice always figures out a way to keep fighting, but then we see her be dismissive of the new generation and then? quit? I guess? The direction is unclear because we immediately jump into the “Keep Marching” finale???
As a member of that new generation, frankly, it makes me feel a little bitter. I understand the sentiment of being grateful for your ancestors and feeling encouraged by their hardships, “progress is possible, not guaranteed” and all that, but I think it actually pats the old guard’s backs too much. A reoccurring issue I have with my parents is that I believe it’s intellectually lazy to give up on the effort of being informed. Your generation still has power and is running the show! If you actually cared about what you preach, you would still do what you can! That doesn’t have to mean marching in the streets and going on a food strike! Community action takes shape in many ways! You don’t stop being a member of society until you’re dead! If you refrain from action while your peers are still in power, you’re prematurely losing before the new generation can take your place. All I have learned about Alice Paul this entire show is that she is passionate about equal rights. Why wouldn’t she try to converse with the newer generations? Aren’t they the “daughters and great-granddaughters” this show constantly imagines?
I honestly was about to give this 4 stars in respect of the gargantuan effort it took to bring this show to life, but isn’t that in itself conforming? Shouldn’t we be asking more from our contemporary musical theatre with an activist pulse? I feel exactly the way I felt when I saw it live — the more I think about the last 10 minutes, it pisses me off and sours the rest. It does not help that Hillary Clinton put her name on this. I’m allowed to say that because we have the same birthday.
I don’t know, man. I use pronouns. I have a weird relationship with my mom. What do I know.
Revisiting this via book, I think I can finally crack down on what doesn’t work for me here. Hear me out: I think Alice Paul, our main character, is the least fleshed out woman here. I think Taub assumes all the events happening around her will give her depth, but ironically, everything interesting about her stems from other people, like Carrie’s rivalry with her or her friendship with Inez. I was an Alexander Hamilton sympathizer when I was 15 and Joan of Arc is my Catholic confirmation saint name… Alice should be a match made in heaven with me!! But her musical motifs are too contemporary & plain and we never get any vulnerability/insight into her as a person. We know her mother died, we know she played field hockey in college with Lucy (even Lucy gets a song that fleshes her out!), we know she’s avoiding marriage. Taub throws out references to Jo March like that will carry all the character work but it falls flat. Alexander Hamilton is a stronger character than Alice Paul because we see his faults (Reynolds Pamphlet) and get a window into his psyche (“Hurricane”). We get to see him be silly, be brash, be messy. Even in Alice’s big moment in prison (Insane), we never learn anything new about her fight for freedom, just that she doesn’t want to justify herself, which is lazy writing (I wish she was explicitly gay for Inez haha). We hear all about who she is, but we never see her personality outside of the movement’s actions.
I also think this is why the conclusion ultimately falls flat for me. It’s compelling that Alice adopts Carrie’s “This Girl” and ends up in her position as the Old Guard, but I also don’t think it’s fully believable? I think the show even tries to justify this change by making the new young activist annoying and disrespectful with her camera LOL… it’s giving millennial hate towards Gen Z… By the end of the show, we understand Carrie. Not only through her backstory (“This Girl”) but the reveal that she’s a closeted sapphic for Mollie. We know what happens to the rest of Alice’s team (except for Lucy lowkey because all she does is quit and promises to keep in touch??), but now we jump how many years into the future and I guess Alice is working on the ERA? And she still feels guilty over Inez’s sacrifice (gay?!?!)? Lucy’s last comment before the finale is that Alice always figures out a way to keep fighting, but then we see her be dismissive of the new generation and then? quit? I guess? The direction is unclear because we immediately jump into the “Keep Marching” finale???
As a member of that new generation, frankly, it makes me feel a little bitter. I understand the sentiment of being grateful for your ancestors and feeling encouraged by their hardships, “progress is possible, not guaranteed” and all that, but I think it actually pats the old guard’s backs too much. A reoccurring issue I have with my parents is that I believe it’s intellectually lazy to give up on the effort of being informed. Your generation still has power and is running the show! If you actually cared about what you preach, you would still do what you can! That doesn’t have to mean marching in the streets and going on a food strike! Community action takes shape in many ways! You don’t stop being a member of society until you’re dead! If you refrain from action while your peers are still in power, you’re prematurely losing before the new generation can take your place. All I have learned about Alice Paul this entire show is that she is passionate about equal rights. Why wouldn’t she try to converse with the newer generations? Aren’t they the “daughters and great-granddaughters” this show constantly imagines?
I honestly was about to give this 4 stars in respect of the gargantuan effort it took to bring this show to life, but isn’t that in itself conforming? Shouldn’t we be asking more from our contemporary musical theatre with an activist pulse? I feel exactly the way I felt when I saw it live — the more I think about the last 10 minutes, it pisses me off and sours the rest. It does not help that Hillary Clinton put her name on this. I’m allowed to say that because we have the same birthday.
I don’t know, man. I use pronouns. I have a weird relationship with my mom. What do I know.
January 3, 2025
This is the book for the Broadway musical, "Suffs." Reading it brought back great memories of seeing the show at New York's Music Box Theatre. Reading the script gave me more of an appreciation for the genius of Shaina Taub.
September 29, 2025
Can't wait to see this musical and it just so happens to be on No Kings day... going to be extra special.
December 12, 2025
“So they can learn how hard it was, and know it can be done”
October 12, 2025
I have been interested in Suffs since it first played at the public. With a trip to New York to see its Broadway run, or catching on of the stops on its current national tour, beyond my financial ability it was really nice to he able to buy the libretto and learn more about the show. The book scenes are just as great as the music and lyrics I know from the soundtrack. Absolutely worth picking up if you’re a fan of the show.
December 6, 2025
This "book" is actually the libretto (words/script and the song lyrics) for the show. SUFFS is the story of the American women's suffrage movement. Taub won a Tony for Best Book. I *LOVED* this musical and bought the "book" at the show because I wanted to learn all of the names and stories of these important women. This musical is SO good, if it's playing in a city you want to travel to, then GO.
January 5, 2025
Laughing, weeping, filled with hope, so sad I didn't get to see it in person, so thankful for access to the cast recording and script.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews