On the surface, 106 years seems like a long time ago. It’s not. Women were granted the right to vote in the United States in 1920 via the 19th Amendment. It was far too long after men automatically received it with the passing of the U.S. Constitution almost a century and a half earlier in 1776.
“Suffs” is a musical depicting everything that went into winning that historic battle just over a century ago. By the way, it wasn’t only a victory for women – the world surrounding us all is greater when equality is front and center. It’s the latest in Performing Arts Fort Worth’s Broadway at the Bass Series presented by PNC Bank. It runs through Sunday, Aug. 9. It’s also the only Texas stop for the show, as well as being the last stop on the entire national tour.
I never have and never will understand why someone might believe they are above another individual because of different genders, skin color, nationality, etc. It’s a shame that stories such as this one have to be told at all, but thank goodness they are as this is a message that should never grow old. We are all born equal.
“Suffs” not only tells the tale of the suffrage battle, it completely draws the audience in. I found myself feeling as if I were right there with each of the women onstage, vehemently supporting their cause, wanting to pick up my own banner and dive in deep. The story wastes no time in revealing its message as it pulls us in from the very beginning, which takes place in 1913 at the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) Convention. Suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt (played by Marya Grandy) delivers a powerful speech featuring the song “Let Mother Vote,” setting the tone for all that is to follow.
She is approached by Alice Paul (Maya Keheler), who proposes a march on Washington, D.C. on the day of President Woodrow Wilson’s (Merrill Peiffer – it’s an all-female and non-binary cast) inauguration to pressure him for support. While Carrie refuses to join, Alice moves forward with the help of college friend Lucy Burns (Gwynne Wood). Others join to strengthen the cause, such as socialite Inez Milholland (Monica Tulia Ramirez), Polish labor organizer Ruza Wenclawska (Joyce Meimei Zheng), and a young college student from Nebraska named Doris Stevens (Jenna Lea Rosen) among a growing list.
But even while fighting for the same cause, dissension reared its ugly head. Carrie believes in the slow and steady approach, getting whatever advancements they can even if it takes longer. Alice opts for charging forward relentlessly, not taking no for an answer ever and refusing to wait any longer for progress.
And let’s not forget that while the Civil War was long over, racial tensions were still high, particularly in the south. Southern delegations protested white and black women marching side by side, prompting prominent African-American journalist Ida B. Wells (Danyel Fulton) to insist that she march with her own state delegation from Mississippi – though history notes she ended up marching with the Illinois delegation.
Meanwhile, Wilson is hiding behind first letting the states decide individually about women voting, then shifting to America’s involvement in The Great War (World War I). And when he did come around, historians still greatly maintain it was more of a calculated response to political pressure instead of a shift in personal beliefs. Such pressure is spotlighted in one of the best songs in the show, “The Young Are at the Gates,” kicking off Act 2. It’s named so for the “Silent Sentinels” organized by the National Woman’s Party standing in silence outside the White House gates.
The suffrage fight took a long time and left many scars amid the ultimate triumph, Some, including Alice, were imprisoned and even tortured. Some even died. But still, mothers, daughters, nurses, teachers, students and more all stood together to make it come to fruition and be signed into law on Aug. 26, 1920. “Suffs” is the brainchild of Shaina Taub, who played the original Alice in the Off-Broadway and Broadway versions. She wrote the script, music and lyrics, winning Tony Awards for Best Book and Score, becoming the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards in these categories in the same season.
Every song is perfect for its moment, supporting a script that would stand strong on its own. Keheler leads a solid cast with the exact chemistry requireed to deliver such a monumental tale, and it’s clear they all appreciate the conquest of these great ladies who came before them. And while the subject matter of “Suffs” is very serious, it certainly has a solid share of humor. For example, when Ida is told the work for their effort will be tireless, she replies, “I have four children, I haven’t slept in years.” And, in a not-so-subtle jab at how long the fight has been going on, one of the very first lines in the show is a welcome to the “65th annual luncheon” by NAWSA.
It’s unlikely there will be another national tour of the show as Taub wants to get it into regional theatres as quickly as possible. I completely agree that it should now go that route, along with opening itself up to community and youth productions as soon as possible as well. It’s more than a fabulous show. It’s a lesson that some will argue was not given proper justice in history books and other annals in our country. It was one of the greatest forward movements our nation has ever advanced. All ages should know all about it – and thanks to forward thinkers such as the folks behind this show, they have a great opportunity.
Yes, women have come a long way in the world and America. There is, however, much more to conquer – and if we all fight with the determination of those in the suffrage movement, the greatest accomplishments are yet to come.
‘Suffs’ At Bass Performance Hall through Sunday, Aug. 9 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth Tickets: https://basshall.com/ Note: This production uses theatrical haze and smoke effects. Strobe lights are used to mimic camera flashes during Act 1. A limited number of strobe reduction glasses are available for checkout at the Accessibility Kisok in the West Lobby.
