[CREDIT: Caitlyn DiPompo] PPAC's Suffs explores the struggle to grant women the right to vote.

UPDATE: Due to the severe weather forecast for Sunday, January 25, the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) and SUFFS have announced that the Sunday, Jan. 25 matinee performance at 1 p.m. and evening performance at 6:30 p.m. have been cancelled.

PROVIDENCE, RI — The U.S. won independence from England in 1776 yet women did not have the right to vote until 1920, the backdrop for Providence Performing Arts Center’s production of “Suffs.”

The Broadway musical opened Tuesday at PPAC, telling the story of a group of suffragists who launched a decades-long fight to amend the Constitution so women would have the right to vote.

Alice Paul joins the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) in 1913 and becomes a fiery advocate for equality.

Carrie Chapman Catt (Marya Grandy) and her partner Mollie Hay (Tami Dahbura) run the group with an iron grip. They have been involved in the battle for much longer than Alice and grow to resent her more confrontational approach.

Eventually, Alice and her allies, which include Doris (Livvy Marcus), Lucy (Gwynne Wood), Ruza (Joyce Meimei Zheng), and Inez (Monica Tulia Ramirez) break away from NAWSA to form their own group, the National Woman’s Party (NWP).

Members of the NWP are thrown in prison after protesting outside the White House. Alice goes on a hunger strike to convince President Woodrow Wilson (amusingly played by Jenny Ashman) to endorse the 19th amendment.

Suffs created by Tony Award Winner Taub

“Suffs” is the creation of Shaina Taub, who won Tony awards for writing the book and the music. This is a cleverly written show which never steps wrong. Director Leigh Silverman and the creative team have crafted a fast-paced and beautiful-looking production. It is enthralling from start to finish.

Maya Keleher is charismatic and appealing as Alice, outwardly confident but plagued by self-doubt. Keleher shines on “Worth It” and “Show Them Who You Are.”

Danyel Fulton is a standout as Ida B. Wells, a black writer and activist. Ida refuses to participate in a suffrage march when she is told black women will have to walk behind all the white women.

Fulton delivers a powerhouse vocal on “Wait My Turn,” expressing Ida’s frustrations over being treated as second class.

Brandi Porter is delightful as Dudley Malone, Wilson’s Chief of Staff. Malone eventually quits after realizing his cynical boss has been stringing the suffragists along with false promises.

Laura Stracko is joyfully saucy as socialite/socialist Alva Belmont is a benefactor for the NWP.

It’s stunning that in 2026, women still do not have full equality. The show acknowledges that even though women won the right to vote in 1920, black women (and men) in the Jim Crow South had to wait until 1965 for that privilege. Racism has never gone away.

“Suffs” is a wonderful tribute to the brave women who made tremendous sacrifices to win equality. The parallels to current events are stunning. Conservative politicians have supported legislation with the intention of erasing the gains made by minority groups. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents are brutalizing people due to the color of their skin.

The exuberant closing song, “Keep Marching,” is a call to arms, not just for women, but for all of us. At a time when our democracy is teetering on the brink, the message is to continue fighting for what’s right. Get out there and speak up. Our lives depend on it.

Suffs runs through January 25 at Providence Performing Arts Center. 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, RI. Runtime is 2 hours, 25 minutes with intermission. For tickets, visit ppacri.org or call 401-406-6071.

Author: Joe Siegel

Joe Siegel is a regular contributing writer for WarwickPost.com. His reporting has appeared in The Sun Chronicle in Attleboro and EDGE.

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