Review: Broadway in Cincinnati presents SUFFS at The Aronoff Center
Running Now - May 17th
It is always baffling to me, the things that history books don’t teach us. How can something so important within the history of our country be overlooked? This was one of many conversations I had last night after attending the opening night performance of Suffs in Cincinnati. The show focuses on Alice Paul and her involvement with the women’s suffrage movement until its ratification of the 19th amendment giving (white) women the right to vote. If you happen to be reading this review, I ask you this: do you know who Alice Paul is? How about Carrie Chapman Catt? Or even Ida B. Wells? These women and many more helped to shape our country over 100 years ago, and this sharp new musical written entirely by Shaina Taub is finally giving them their time in the spotlight - where they should’ve been all along. Ultimately winning two Tony Awards, Suffs is now touring the country in a stunning and awe inspiring fashion.
The show is led quite beautifully by Maya Keleher as Alice Paul. She exquisitely inhabits the force of nature this woman was, relentless in her pursuit for voter equality. While her fiery moments are exciting, I want to put emphasis on the more subtle heartfelt ones as well, like the Act 1 song “Worth It” where Alice asks herself if the cause is worth dedicating her whole life to achieving. Acting as her foil is Marya Grandy as Carrie Chapman Catt. Grandy plays Catt with Grace and sophistication, which makes the moments we see her crack all the more impactful. At the end of the day these two characters want the same things, but fundamentally disagree on how to achieve them. Rounding out the trio of what I would consider the true leads of the show is Danyel Fulton as Ida B. Wells. Fulton plays Wells as very stoic and reserved, and beautifully delivers the heartbreaking “Wait My Turn”. A piece regarding the fact that sadly the 19th amendment would ignore black women if and when their cause is realized.
The supporting cast is all uniformly strong, and there are too many to give everyone their flowers but I was very taken with Monica Tulia Ramirez as Inez Milholland. Ramirez has stunning vocals and commands the stage as if it’s the easiest thing in the world. Watching her experience the character’s highs and lows is just thrilling. Livy Marcus’ Dorris Stevens is quirky and adorable, bringing many moments of needed comedy, and is a great energetic addition anytime she is onstage. I also must recognize Jenny Ashman as President Wilson. Ashman plays the character with just the right amount of tongue in cheek bafoonery, adding some needed levity to what is essentially the villain of our story. She has wonderful timing and a soaring voice.
Visually, the show doesn’t have a lot going on, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The sets are very basic and serve the purpose of the show which is to give focus to the writing and the characters that drive the experience. I will say that the lighting did a magnificent job of adding in layers and depth to what is sometimes a rather bare stage.
I believe genuinely that Suffs is one of the best musicals written in the last decade. It is so rare these days to hear a score be so utterly complete in its vision and storytelling that it’s something wonderful to behold. On top of that, the show tackles a highly fascinating and often overlooked subject with what I would consider world class performances. This production is only running for a week in Cincinatti, and I while I realize it’s not the flashiest title - I urge any and everyone to go see it. Suffs is so utterly important, especially right now as we often need to be reminding that progress is possible, not guaranteed.
SUFFS
Now - May 17th
Aronoff Center For The Arts
650 Walnut Street Cincinnati, OH 45202.
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