The talented composer and writer Shaina Taub plays the role of Alice Paul in her new play Suffs. Suffs is short for The Suffragists, the name the women gave themselves in their tireless pursuit of the right to vote. Suffs brings history to life. The play enacts some of the most monumental changes that have happened in feminist history. It is meant to remind us of a time that isn’t remembered as much as it should be. This relevant and essential new Broadway musical officially opened on April 18 after its debut at the Public Theater in 2022. Following its sold-out extended run at the Public Theatre, the play moved onto a Broadway showing. It accomplished this with a few remarkable new additions- Malala Yousafzai and Hilary Clinton.

The idea for Suffs first originated in 2014 when Shaina Taub was asked to discuss what she knew about the 19th Amendment and the fight for women’s Suffrage. Shaina earnestly discussed just how little she knew. “I knew Susan B. Anthony was on a coin that doesn’t get printed up often.”  She didn’t know that much in the beginning, but soon learned about the historical significance of the movement to achieve women’s Suffrage. She learned about the women who fought for the right to vote. Shaina quickly grew passionate about the play. She even felt that the woman’s fight for the right to vote was inherently theatrical. She felt that all the fighting, rallying, and drama were just made for the theatre. Shaina speaks passionately about how the Women’s Suffrage included arrests and disputes. Shaina believed that women should see themselves in these roles. She felt that women needed to see themselves in the context of history. She wanted to uplift and inspire women. She wanted to ensure that women didn't become second-class citizens again. Yes, and if history repeats itself, a reminder of that history will always be necessary. The fair and equitable treatment of women will always remain relevant. Suffs came not a moment too soon.

The play highlights more than just the women’s rights movement and its victories; it also reveals some of the more intimate and less discussed aspects. These rough patches included the Rivalry between Alice Paul and Carrie Catt, who were both titans of the movement. An essential component of the movement was the intergenerational tension between the younger suffragists and the older suffragists. Taub plays the younger Alice Paul, who often fought with the older, more experienced Carrie Cat. Age played a significant role. Even though both were on the same side, they had opposing viewpoints. Alice Paul, a 28-year-old leader, demanded that change go her way. Her way resulted in angry mobs and arrests. Carrie Catt, on the other hand, had been working for years, and didn’t want the Suffragists to seem Rash. Catt understood the concept of change taking time. “Suffs” also touches upon the racial disparity in the women’s suffrage movement. Many white female members of the women’s suffrage movement advised the black members to wait their turn. Even while fighting for fairness, some of the women showed distinct blind spots and character flaws. The show is a truly remarkable portrayal of human character, showcasing both virtue and flaw simultaneously.

“These rights were not inevitable; every generation must fight to protect these rights and freedoms again and again. Taub said. Taub felt that her true goal was to make her audience fall in love with the characters and the message in her show. In addition to its moving and historically significant promises, Hilary Clinton and Malala make an impact as the show’s star producers. Taub knew that both were strong female activists. She knew that they would become a brilliant addition to the show. Hilary had been a fixture in the New York Theatre scene for years. Hillary is no stranger to the importance of telling narratives that promise to encourage and foster change. She was thrilled to become a part of the show. “This show reminds us that women fought hard for the right to vote, and it’s not something that we should take for granted.” Suffs ends with the message that all production members of Suffs want to embrace: “keep marching” towards a better future.