Suffs at San Diego Civic Theatre

Suffs is the Tony Award®-winning Broadway spectacle that’s gearing up to make history again at the San Diego Civic Theatre! Brought to life by Shaina Taub, who now stands proudly as the first woman to independently snag Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season, the sensational Suffs has also been named Best Musical (Outer Critics Circle Award), taken home two Drama Desk Awards including Best Score, and is “unquestionably the most emotionally stirring musical of the season” (Chicago Tribune).

There’s no doubt that the women behind the suffragist movement – who fiercely called themselves “Suffs” —were great, but as they fought tirelessly for the right to vote, they were also brilliantly stubborn, incredibly passionate and super funny. Suffs puts the spotlight on their amazing story: the heartwarming friendships, the agonizing heartbreak, and how this movement brought them together—or, in some cases, tore them apart at the seams. Heroically exploring the fight for equality that’s far from over, Suffs stands tall as a “theatrical masterpiece that demands to be seen” (Forbes) and a gentle reminder that progress is often expected but never guaranteed. Join the movement and secure your places now!

Suffs Tickets

“THRILLING AND INSPIRING! A musically rich and dazzlingly entertaining musical. The message is resoundingly clear: KEEP MARCHING” – VARIETY

Suffs at San Diego Civic Theatre

San Diego Civic Theatre is the ultimate destination to cheer on the Suffs as they march into Downtown San Diego this fall! Just like this Tony Award®-winning production, San Diego Civic Theatre inspires audience members every season. Recognized and adored around the globe as California’s top venue, San Diego Civic Theatre provides the perfect backdrop for critically revered musicals like Suffs. Equipped with all the dazzling effects that you would expect from Broadway’s biggest shows, the performance arts venue goes hand-in-hand with a production as powerful and memorable as Suffs. This run, from September 30–October 5, is a super exciting addition to Downtown San Diego’s entertainment calendar, which you absolutely can’t afford to miss out on!!

“An ENTHRALLING, funny, and beautifully sung musical” – DEADLINE

Broadway is “joyfully singing songs of suffrage” – The New York Times

Synopsis

Set in 1913, at a time when the women’s movement was in full swing in America, Suffs follows the world famous suffragists and their unwavering quest for the right to vote. Spanning across and against generational, racial, and class divisions, these incredible women engage and empower people everywhere with the story of their hard-won victory in the stand against inequality. Even though a lot has changed since the Nineteenth Amendment passed over a century ago, we’re still reminded that sometimes we need to look back, in order to march bravely into the future.

“Suffs” lends its name from these empowering suffragists who tirelessly stood up for female equality at a time when the patriarchy was determined to silence and suppress them. Maya Keleher leads the ensemble cast as real-life suffragist activist Alice Paul.

“Like all the best Broadway musicals, Suffs HUMANIZES, EMPOWERS, MOVES and entertains” – Chicago Tribune 

Creative Team

The tour cast will feature Maya Keleher as Alice Paul, Danyel Fulton as Ida B. Wells, Marya Grandy as Carrie Chapman Catt, Jenny Ashman as President Woodrow Wilson, Monica Tulia Ramirez as Inez Milholland, Gwynne Wood as Lucy Burns, Joyce Meimei Zheng as Ruza Wenclawska, Livvy Marcus as Doris Stevens, Trisha Jeffrey as Mary Church Terrell, Brandi Porter as Dudley Malone, Laura Stracko as Alva Belmont/Phoebe Burn, Tami Dahbura as Mollie Hay, and Victoria Lauren Pekel as Phyllis Terrell/Robin.

Rounding out the cast is Abigail Aziz, Ariana Burks, Annalese Fusaro, Lucy Godínez, Marissa Hecker, Amanda K. Lopez, Merrill Peiffer, Jenna Lea Rosen, and Gretchen Shope. 

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to share Shaina’s acclaimed, Tony Award-winning musical with audiences across the country this coming season,” shared Suffs producers Jill Furman and Rachel Sussman. “The entertaining and inspiring story of the suffragists’ fight for the right to vote remains as timely as ever.” 

SUFFS boasts book, music, and lyrics by Tony Award®-winner Shaina Taub, direction by Tony Award nominee Leigh Silverman (“Violet” and “Yellow Face”), choreography by Mayte Natalio (“How to Dance in Ohio”), music supervision by Andrea Grody, scenic design by Christine Peters, original Broadway scenic design by Tony Award-nominee Riccardo Hernández (“Jagged Little Pill”), costume design by Oscar and Tony Award winner Paul Tazewell (“Hamilton” and “Death Becomes Her”), lighting design by Tony Award-nominee Lap Chi Chu (“Camelot”), hair and wig design by award-winner Charles G. LaPointe, makeup design by Joe Dulude II, sound design by Jason Crystal (“Sweeney Todd”) with associate Sun Hee Kil (“Choir Boy”), orchestrations by Tony Award-winner Michael Starobin (“Next to Normal”), vocal arrangements by Shaina Taub and Andrea Grody (“The Band’s Visit”), incidental music arrangements by Shaina Taub, Andrea Grody, and Michael Starobin, associate direction by Lori Elizabeth Parquet, and associate choreography by Hawley Gould.

“There’s a new hit musical about American history in town” – The Economist 

History and Awards

Suffs opened its curtains off-Broadway at The Public Theater in April 2022 with a raving audience and critic response. The show then transferred to Broadway on the 18th April 2024 at the Music Box Theatre. It again received glowing reviews from leading critics, as well as an impressive seven nominations at the 77th Tony Awards, including Best Musical, winning two categories, for Best Book and Best Score. Suffs also took home not one but an incredible two well-deserved Drama Desk Awards including Best Score, and is “unquestionably the most emotionally stirring musical of the season” (Chicago Tribune).

“To all of the theatre kids out there watching—especially the wild little girls—go for it,” a very emotional Shaina Taub said from the stage. “You can do it. You are powerful. You are valuable. You are going to doubt yourself. It’s okay. I doubt myself all the time, but you can do it. I’m rooting for you.”

“The musical succeeds at a thrilling, all hands-on-deck level: Suffs readies you to both look inward and march on” – The New Yorker