I remember learning about the suffragettes in my ninth grade US history class, but if I’m being honest, I haven’t thought much about them since.
Obviously, women earning the right to vote in America is a hugely important moment in the history of America, but it kind of feels that it’s a little bit overlooked, or talked about much in the culture. That’s why Broadway producer and Metro Detroit native Rachel Sussman wanted to bring the stories of Alice Paul, Ida B. Wells, Lucy Burns and Carrie Chapman Catt to the Broadway stage.
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“This whole idea started when I was in middle school,” said Sussman during a phone interview. After years of workshops, collaborations and rewrites, “Suffs” debuted on Broadway April 18, 2024, and was nominated for six Tony Awards. The show ended up winning Best Book and Best Score.
It’s hard to compress decades of fighting for the vote into a two and a half hour musical, but “Suffs” does a fantastic job of compressing so much history into a single Broadway musical.
For Sussman, having the show she conceived play at the Fisher Theater is a full circle moment.
“The Fisher Theater is where I saw so many musicals growing up, so it’s really a dream for it to be on tour in Detroit,” said Sussman.
The all female cast of “Suffs” is truly incredible. The acting is obviously amazing, but the singing is what really blew me away. “Suffs” is all about owning your power, and the blend of voices in the ensemble was the definition of power.
“Suffs” is playing at the Fisher Theater until April 26. You can get tickets here.