SUFFS Opening Night Critics' Reviews — Page 2

DTLI Consensus: Though streamlined and much improved from the solid Off-Broadway incarnation, Suffs has still not yet marched its way to a great product.

5 positive, 5 mixed (including the NYT).

https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/suffs-bway/

That is about what I was expecting from these reviews. Just hope this can sell really well and pick up some Tony Nods.

Time Out is positive, but is not included on DTLI, yet:

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/suffs-broadway-musical-review-shaina-taub

Holdren in Vulture is positive:

https://www.vulture.com/article/theater-review-suffs-and-grenfell.html

"for all its seriousness, Suffs is full of nerve and spark. Under the steady direction of Leigh Silverman, the show’s large ensemble glows with the gutsiness and visible affection that come from a good-faith process. When actors really believe in what they’re doing, it tends to show."

Dylan Smith4 said: "This is highly unlikely, but wouldn't be incredible if Shaina won the Triple Crown? Book, Score, and Lead Actress."

Highly unlikely? I think How To Dance In Ohio has a better chance of winning the Pulitzer.

I could see this getting 0 Acting nominations, which is one of those problems when you have a uniformly strong ensemble cast with one lead and a dozen supporting ladies.

Or perhaps it gets up to 3 acting noms (lead + 1 to 2 supporting). Jenn Colella or Nikki James seem most likely for noms.

I don't think it cracks double-digits...9 at best?

Updated On: 4/18/24 at 11:10 PM

That's a very good piece of critical writing from Jesse Green (if not exactly what the show wants).

It may spawn some yelling about his "men" comments.

I did leave the show wondering how it would have been with male actors as the male characters. Would Purlie as effective if the Jay O. Sanders character had been played by a Black actor playing a white character, for example? Hard to say. Or, in Clare Boothe Luce fashion, omit all male characters entirely.

Updated On: 4/18/24 at 11:18 PM

Here Lies Love is similar from the fall. 1 negative review, of 12, from the Daily Beast ... with more positive. Suffs has 10, with no Daily Beast yet.

We far preferred HLL to Suffs. It was far more unique and creative in its approach and music even if not perfect, like Suffs. Hope it can be remembered.

Updated On: 4/19/24 at 12:04 AM

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "That's a very good piece of critical writing from Jesse Green (if not exactly what the show wants).

It may spawn some yelling about his "men" comments.

I did leave the show wondering how it would have been with male actors as the male characters. WouldPurlie as effective if the Jay O. Sanderscharacter had been played by a Black actor playing a white character, for example? Hard to say. Or, in Clare Boothe Luce fashion,omitall male characters entirely."

I think they could have omitted Pres Wilson entirely. Wilson’s second wife, the First Lady during his second term, also didn’t support the suffrage movement and there was also the NAOWS (anti suffrage org led by women.)

I’m firmly of the camp that, short of the categories expanding in any respect, A LOT of shows are going to come up short because the wealth will be spread and fail to cause any meaningful impact.

I think what Quizking is saying is that one or two nominations (because them being so spread out) won’t be enough for a struggling show to get a huge uptick in sales.

MayAudraBlessYou2 said: "Justin Peck would need to win both director and choreography for his show to claim best musical I think, and I don't see him taking down Maria Freidman in directing.

I think The Outsiders still has a good enough reception to join these two. Then...who knows. Maybe they just go back to the closed shows and Here Lies Love and Days of Wine and Roses BOTH get in? Hell's Kitchen and Water for Elephants are possible but far from sure things."



This feels right to me. I'd say it's Illinoise, Suffs, Outsiders, Wine and Roses, and either Hell's Kitchen or Elephants.

No clear front runner in that, but I think box office for Illinoise will be a big factor, too. The industry (and all awards) tend to love a hit. If it does big box office, that'll be a factor. But I don't think it has an outsized amount of love in the industry. But then, neither does anything else just yet.