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The Arts Intel Report

A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler
A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler

Suffs

Anastacia McCleskey and Laila Erica Drew in Suffs.

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“It’s historic and relevant, and it’s emotional,” says Hillary Clinton, “and it shows the relationship among these women who fought so hard to get us the right to vote.” She’s talking about Suffs, her Broadway producing debut. The musical begins in 1913, at an annual luncheon of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and traces the courageous campaign that finally saw, in 1920, the passing of the 19th Amendment. Shaina Taub began working on the show 10 years ago, writing the book, music, and lyrics. She also wrote the leading role of Alice Paul for herself. Suffs underwent major rewrites before its Off Broadway premiere at the Public Theater, in 2022, and changed again significantly before opening on Broadway in March. Its current version, produced by an all-female team (including Clinton and Malala Yousafzai), with an all-female cast and orchestra, is a winner. “By the end,” writes Jesse Green of The New York Times, “it feels like a rally.” —Jeanne Malle