Finish the Fight and Keep Marching!

Suffs

Not many Americans know very much about the long, difficult  struggle it took to achieve Women’s Suffrage. All that is mentioned in most high school history textbooks is that “in 1920 the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote nationwide.” A few famous names may be mentioned, but the actual journey toward giving women equality is sadly simplified. The words “Suffrage” and “Suffragette” often pop up, but many people aren’t sure what those terms mean. They have nothing to do with suffering, as many believe. Suffrage simply means the legal right to vote in public political elections and referendums. And a Suffragette, or Suffragist, is a woman who advocated for women’s rights. But there’s a great deal more to learn from history about this bitter fight for gender equality. And, more importantly, while major advances have been made since 1920, equality for all women still isn’t a sure thing, even in 2026. The timely musical message that we hear repeated over and over again in SUFFS, is that we must “Finish the Fight” and “Keep Marching!”

Winning the 2024 Tony Award for both book and score, Shaina Taub not only thoroughly researched the women’s suffrage movement, and then wrote this inspiring, entertaining and enlightening musical, she also starred as Alice Paul in both the 2022 Off-Broadway presentation and the subsequent Broadway production. Much like other historically-based musicals, like HAMILTON, TITANIC and 1776, the audience already knows how the story ends. But it’s the beautifully portrayed, real-life characters, the tension-filled dramatic events and the often unexpected humorous moments that make the journey in SUFFS so exciting and captivating.

The very polished National Tour that’s arrived in Chicago for two weeks at the CIBC Theatre is every bit as powerful and beautifully performed as the original Broadway production. Tony nominated Leigh Silverman (LIFESPAN OF A FACT; VIOLET), who also directed the 2024 Broadway production of SUFFS, has infused her talented touring cast of female actors with the same electricity, honesty and comic timing as in New York. The show features strong, spirited choreography by Mayte Natalio (HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO; FOR COLORED GIRLS…), and gorgeous musical accompaniment, courtesy of musical director and orchestra conductor Dani Lee Hutch (ALADDIN; SIX) and her twelve gifted pit musicians. The production looks fantastic, thanks to a fluid scenic design by Riccardo Hernandez (JAGGED LITTLE PILL; PARADE), expressive lighting designed by Lap Chi Chu (YELLOW FACE; CAMELOT) and lovely, authentic period costumes designed by the talented Paul Tazewell (DEATH BECOMES HER; HAMILTON).

This gifted cast of triple threats is led by vivacious Maya Keleher, as Suffragist, Alice Paul. Although she’s seldom off stage, with every entrance Ms. Keleher recharges the show with so much honesty and energy. The gifted actress and storyteller absolutely lights up the stage because this story truly belongs to her young character. Maya, a real powerhouse vocalist, belts out numbers like “Finish the Fight,” “Insane,” “She and I,” “Finish the Fight,” and many other group numbers. She’s matched by the exquisite Marya Grandy as the more mature Suff, Carrie Chapman Catt. Ms. Grandy, recently appeared in the World Premiere of the stage musical, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. This gifted actress has a long resume that includes both Broadway and regional theaters. She’s a familiar face to Chicago audiences, having dazzled theatergoers in many Windy City productions, such as ON THE TOWN, NINE TO FIVE, SISTER ACT, THE SECRET GARDEN and LES MISERABLES. As Carrie Chapman Catt, Marya is totally committed and in charge. She conveys with perfect clarity and candor Carrie’s delicate responsibility to secure women’s rights, along with the heavy weight she feels from many years of fighting for equality. Whether singing the opening number, “Let Mother Vote” to her reflective “This Girl,”or engaged in constant verbal battle with Alice Paul, Marya Grandy is absolute perfection.

On opening night, as often happens, Jenny Ashman wasn’t able to perform her role of President Woodrow Wilson. But talented swing and understudy, Merrill Peiffer, ably stepped into the role and gave a stellar performance. Ms. Peiffer was consistent and compelling in a role that might be thought of as the antagonist of this musical. Also, Wilson’s attitude and rhetoric bears a strong resemblance to our current Commander in Chief. Merrill has great comic timing and beautifully belts out songs like “Ladies,” “Fire and Tea” and “The Report.”

Talented actress and vocalist Danyel Fulton captures all the pride, power and determination of Chicagoan Ida B. Wells. This famous, groundbreaking African-American activist, journalist, sociologist and educator was instrumental in the early civil rights movement, as well as one of the founders of the NAACP. Ms. Fulton is terrific in portraying this real life character, for whom Chicago now has a street named in her honor. Danyel’s delivery of “Wait My Turn” and “I Was Here,” with Victoria Pekel, as Phyllis Terrell and Trisha Jeffrey, as her daughter Mary, almost stops the show cold.

The entire cast, including a strong, large ensemble, is excellent. Monica Tulia Ramirez is a dynamo as Inez Milholland, especially when astride a horse; Livvy Marcus is a sweet and funny Doris Stevens; delightful Gwynne Wood is endearing as Alice’s college bestie, Lucy Burns; and Joyce Meimei Zheng makes Polish immigrant Ruza Wenclawska into a young activist of particular power and passion. In a pants role, Brandi Porter nicely portrays President Wilson’s righthand man, Dudley Malone. Ms. Porter conveys a shy character who finally shatters when he can no longer take President Wilson’s masked chauvinism. In a letter to the newspaper, Malone informs his boss of exactly how he really feels.

Some might argue that SUFFS is the perfect musical for women, young and old. But I disagree. I believe that SUFFS has a whole lot to say to the men in the audience. There’s so much history that plays out in this production, yet it’s not a dry, stuffy textbook lesson. Shaina Taub has cleverly written a powerful and entertaining script that’s both educational and inspiring. It’s the perfect production for audiences of both genders and all ages, from middle school through to the more mature theatergoer. And SUFFS is sure to ultimatelly inspire every theatergoer to get out there, Finish the Fight and Keep on Marching!      

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented July 7-19 by Broadway in Chicago at the CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe, Chicago.

Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling the Chicago Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Photos by Joan Marcus