***** I remember the days when, in order ,to graduate from 8th grade and enter high school, you had to pass a Constitution Test. I am not so sure that this is still the practice. In fact, I am unsure of what they cover in Civics class or if history is learned through “Google” and “AI”. Over the years, I have been witness to many plays that deal with history and/ or historical facts, but nothing as sensational as Shaina Taub’s “Suffs” now on the stage at the CIBC Theatre as part of the 2026 Broadway In Chicago season.

This is a story ( or should I say history lesson) that traces and explores of the women of the “suffragist movement”. They used the “suffs” nickname to identify themselves, and allows us to see the power they had, along with the guts and brilliant minds, as they fought for their right to vote. I doubt that many of  today’s young women ( whatever their “genration” be) realize what a treasure these women gave them. In Taub’s Award Winning musical, we get to see the story evolve. It wasn’t an easy task they took on, and there were times they had to do some questionable things to get the job done, but they fought for the right to be more than just someone to clean the house, or raise the children, or make sure dinner was on the table after church on a Sunday.

The cast that brings this story to life is probably one of the strongest possible. It is not often that one can say that every voice in this production is a powerful one and that each of the performers exceeded my expectations. This is a play that is written by a woman, directed by Leigh Silverman and has music supervised by Andrea Grody. There are 17 female performers, each and every one as good as one can hope for. In tonight’s performance, the role of President Woodrow Wilson was handled by Merrill Peiffer ( who was a delight to watch). For those who are into politics, this one is right up your alley!

The presidents “right hand man”Dudly is played to perfection by Brandi Porter. Alice Paul, the young leader is played by the dynami Maya Keleher, and her  fellow “Suffs” played by  Anna Bakun, Tami Dahbura, Danyel Fulton ( Ida B. Welles),Marya Grandy,Marissa Hecker, Trisha Jeffrey, Livvy Marcus, Victoria Pekel,Monica Tulia Ramirez,Jenna Lea Rosen,Gretchen Shope, Laura Stracko, Gwynne Wood, Joyce Meimei Zheng and a few other alternates and understudies. These performers make up one of the strongets ensembles I have seen assembled to bring a “herstory lesson” to a theater audience!

On the technical side, the stage at the CIBC is the perfect one for the intimacy of this presentation. I truly think a larger stage would take away some of the closeness that we, the audience, felt with these ladies as they fought to win the rights they deserved. If one pays close attnetion, one can see how a politician can delay something by using a war to escape following through on campaign promises. As we learn in this fabulous stroy, Wilson was just the begining of the women’s movement ( which is still ongong, isn’t it?).

When it comes to music, I feel that this is one of those musicals where the music is not leave the theater hummable, but the lyrics memorable. Songs like “Let Mother Vote”, “The Young Are At The Gates”, “How Long?”, and “Show Them Who You Are” all have great meaning in relationship to the fight these women fought. In the long run, you will be entertained beyond your expectatoions and will laugh and learn. Yes, the price you pay for attending “Suffs” is a herstory lesson, and one of great value!

” Suffs” will continue Thru – Jul 19th with performances as follows: