SUFFS Opening Night Critics' Reviews- Page 3

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 11:55am

There was an article that said that Shaina Taub is now the second woman to write, compose, and star in a Broadway musical. Anyone know off the top of their heads who the first was? It can't be Elizabeth Swados for Runaways because she didn't perform in the show (although she did play in the pit), and it can't be Sara Bareilles for Waitress because she didn't write the book.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 11:58am

Owen22 said: "It's so weird to read Sara Holden's review of SUFFS. It's not her at all. Usually, even in a rave, she's very analytical. She literally is just fan-girling over this show!"

Every once in a while, after reading one of her reviews, I am not sure how much she actually liked it ( and I very much enjoy reading her reviews for their intelligence).  I loved reading her review because she was just raving about it.  More than any other review I read, this made me excited that I already have goods seats for my May trip.  

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 12:00pm

Alex Kulak2 said: "There was an article that said that Shaina Taub is now the second woman to write, compose, and star in a Broadway musical. Anyone know off the top of their heads who the first was? It can't be Elizabeth Swados forRunawaysbecause she didn't perform in the show (although she did play in the pit), and it can't be Sara Bareilles forWaitressbecause she didn't write the book."

This mentions a lot of people- I didn't get through the whole thing but maybe it includes the first person to do so. 

https://playbill.com/article/17-triple-threat-musical-creators-who-write-book-music-and-lyrics

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 12:07pm

Elizabeth Swados received 4 Tony nominations for a show whose name I cannot remember.  I want to say Runaways, but not sure. It is possible that she received one.  I know I saw it, was bored stiff, and that it received some great reviews.  I remember so little that I am not even sure that she appeared in it, but I do remember that she received 4 nominations.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 12:13pm

n/m Updated On: 4/19/24 at 12:13 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 12:15pm

Micki Grant is, to my knowledge, the only other woman to write book/music/lyrics and star in (but not direct) her own musical on Broadway, DON'T BOTHER ME, I CAN'T COPE, and the only Black woman to do so. She's the comparison people are most closely making for Suffs.

Liz Swados was notable because in addition to being the sole author of RUNAWAYS, she also directed and choreographed and played guitar for it. But she was not an actor in the show.

Updated On: 4/19/24 at 12:15 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 12:18pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I think what Quizking is saying is that one or two nominations (because them being so spread out) won’t be enough for a struggling show to geta huge uptick in sales."

Exactly this.

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 1:24pm

Reading a bunch of these now and the biggest theme seems to be relief at finally getting a Spring musical written by someone who understands how to write a musical. It may not be the greatest piece ever on the whole, but having someone who knows how to use songs, write interesting lyrics, and create a varied compelling score goes a long way. The second biggest is just how much better it is now than at The Public. Again, even for people who weren't quite there on the whole piece, there is a real respect for how much work Taub and Silverman put in to make it better. Another quality that seems to be missing from a lot of these Spring musicals. 

Updated On: 4/19/24 at 01:24 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 1:46pm

Yes, there's an undercurrent of "finally, a new musical for grownups that (mostly) works!" Especially after the disappointment of Lempicka, where a lot of us had high hopes.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 1:57pm

DTLI has added 3 reviews, so now the count stands at 8 positive, 5 mixed:

https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/suffs-bway/

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 4:40pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Micki Grant is, to my knowledge, the only other woman to write book/music/lyrics and star in (but not direct) her own musical on Broadway, DON'T BOTHER ME, I CAN'T COPE, and the only Black woman to do so. She's the comparison people are most closely making for Suffs.

Liz Swados was notable because in addition to being the sole author of RUNAWAYS, she also directed and choreographed and played guitar for it. But she was not an actor in the show."

Thanks for the info.  That definitely explains my confusion as to whether she was in it or not.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 5:02pm

CoffeeBreak said: "Here Lies Love is similar from the fall. 1 negative review, of 12, from the Daily Beast ... with more positive. Suffs has 10, with no Daily Beast yet."

I wonder if the Daily Beast has stopped reviewing Broadway entirely. The most recent review I can find on their website is for Appropriate back in December.

 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 3:00pm

Review: Broadway’s ‘Suffs’ suffers from activism your aunt will love https://www.columbiaspectator.com/arts-and-culture/2024/04/29/review-broadways-suffs-suffers-from-activism-your-aunt-will-love/