SUFFS Opening Night Critics' Reviews- Page 3

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 11:55am

There was an article that said that Shaina Taub is now the second woman to write, compose, and star in a Broadway musical. Anyone know off the top of their heads who the first was? It can't be Elizabeth Swados for Runaways because she didn't perform in the show (although she did play in the pit), and it can't be Sara Bareilles for Waitress because she didn't write the book.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 11:58am

Owen22 said: "It's so weird to read Sara Holden's review of SUFFS. It's not her at all. Usually, even in a rave, she's very analytical. She literally is just fan-girling over this show!"

Every once in a while, after reading one of her reviews, I am not sure how much she actually liked it ( and I very much enjoy reading her reviews for their intelligence).  I loved reading her review because she was just raving about it.  More than any other review I read, this made me excited that I already have goods seats for my May trip.  

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 12:00pm

Alex Kulak2 said: "There was an article that said that Shaina Taub is now the second woman to write, compose, and star in a Broadway musical. Anyone know off the top of their heads who the first was? It can't be Elizabeth Swados forRunawaysbecause she didn't perform in the show (although she did play in the pit), and it can't be Sara Bareilles forWaitressbecause she didn't write the book."

This mentions a lot of people- I didn't get through the whole thing but maybe it includes the first person to do so. 

https://playbill.com/article/17-triple-threat-musical-creators-who-write-book-music-and-lyrics

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 12:07pm

Elizabeth Swados received 4 Tony nominations for a show whose name I cannot remember.  I want to say Runaways, but not sure. It is possible that she received one.  I know I saw it, was bored stiff, and that it received some great reviews.  I remember so little that I am not even sure that she appeared in it, but I do remember that she received 4 nominations.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 12:13pm

n/m Updated On: 4/19/24 at 12:13 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 12:15pm

Micki Grant is, to my knowledge, the only other woman to write book/music/lyrics and star in (but not direct) her own musical on Broadway, DON'T BOTHER ME, I CAN'T COPE, and the only Black woman to do so. She's the comparison people are most closely making for Suffs.

Liz Swados was notable because in addition to being the sole author of RUNAWAYS, she also directed and choreographed and played guitar for it. But she was not an actor in the show.

Updated On: 4/19/24 at 12:15 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 12:18pm

Jordan Catalano said: "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 geta huge uptick in sales."

Exactly this.

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 1:24pm

Reading a bunch of these now and the biggest theme seems to be relief at finally getting a Spring musical written by someone who understands how to write a musical. It may not be the greatest piece ever on the whole, but having someone who knows how to use songs, write interesting lyrics, and create a varied compelling score goes a long way. The second biggest is just how much better it is now than at The Public. Again, even for people who weren't quite there on the whole piece, there is a real respect for how much work Taub and Silverman put in to make it better. Another quality that seems to be missing from a lot of these Spring musicals. 

Updated On: 4/19/24 at 01:24 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 1:46pm

Yes, there's an undercurrent of "finally, a new musical for grownups that (mostly) works!" Especially after the disappointment of Lempicka, where a lot of us had high hopes.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 1:57pm

DTLI has added 3 reviews, so now the count stands at 8 positive, 5 mixed:

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

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 4:40pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Micki Grant is, to my knowledge, the only other woman to write book/music/lyrics and star in (but not direct) her own musical on Broadway, DON'T BOTHER ME, I CAN'T COPE, and the only Black woman to do so. She's the comparison people are most closely making for Suffs.

Liz Swados was notable because in addition to being the sole author of RUNAWAYS, she also directed and choreographed and played guitar for it. But she was not an actor in the show."

Thanks for the info.  That definitely explains my confusion as to whether she was in it or not.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/19/24 at 5:02pm

CoffeeBreak said: "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."

I wonder if the Daily Beast has stopped reviewing Broadway entirely. The most recent review I can find on their website is for Appropriate back in December.

 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 4/30/24 at 3:00pm

Review: Broadway’s ‘Suffs’ suffers from activism your aunt will love https://www.columbiaspectator.com/arts-and-culture/2024/04/29/review-broadways-suffs-suffers-from-activism-your-aunt-will-love/

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 5/10/24 at 6:16pm

 

[rburton66]

Posted: 5/29/24 at 2:18am

Does anyone know if Telecharge releases blocks of tickets with any rhyme or reason? I was hoping to see the June 12 matinee but the ticket availability is slim pickings while most other dates have tons of options. 

[gibsons2]

Posted: 5/29/24 at 7:16am

rburton66 said: "Does anyone know if Telecharge releases blocks of tickets with any rhyme or reason? I was hoping to see the June 12 matinee but the ticket availability is slim pickings while most other dates have tons of options."

Mid-week matinees are heavily attended by high school students, so they are often well sold. 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 6/11/24 at 6:54am

On Broadway, ‘Suffs’ Has a New Tune (and 6 Tony Nominations) 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/11/theater/suffs-broadway-tony-awards.html?unlocked_article_code=1.y00.6Qzg.MTyFGb3m8o-G

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 8/2/24 at 11:50am

Catching this one tomorrow night and I’m stoked. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 8/2/24 at 11:53am

Looks like Grace McLean has been out this week.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 8/2/24 at 11:56am

TaffyDavenport said: "Looks like Grace McLean has been out this week."

Yep! Jaygee Macapugay is on for Woodrow Wilson this weekend. I saw McLean in Comet and barely caught Jaygee in the Shucked ensemble, so I’m glad I’m seeing her. 

 

[Ptero2]

Posted: 8/2/24 at 6:34pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "TaffyDavenport said: "Looks like Grace McLean has been out this week."

Yep! Jaygee Macapugay is on for WoodrowWilson this weekend. I saw McLean inCometand barely caught Jaygee in theShuckedensemble, so I’m glad I’m seeing her.

"

Dana Costello was Woodrow Wilson on Wednesday as well (say that ten times fast)!

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 8/3/24 at 11:58pm

Greetings from the Music Box Theatre, where I am pleased to report that this new Suffs has been vastly improved and very much worthy of their two Tonys.

In addition to Macapugay as Wilson, Monica Tulia Ramirez was on for Ruza Wenclawska tonight and was an absolute hoot. (Two swings were on, too.)

The show is funnier than I thought it would be, especially in Act I. The second act strikes a more somber tone and suffers a bit, but sticks the landing in the end.

Taub’s score sounds great and was conducted tonight by Andy Peterson, MD Andrea Grody’s assistant on Tootsie.

Performances were all solid across the board, though I did miss McLean a bit. Entrance applause for Taub, the always-solid Jenn Colella, and Nikki James. Emily Skinner chewed the scenery that New York, New York wouldn’t let her touch with a ten-foot pole — and even an ill-timed mic drop in the middle of “A Letter from Harry’s Mother” didn’t quite detract from her show-stealing performance.

Also getting a warm reception was the phrase “the young are at the gates” when it was first uttered early in act two. 

Last Broadway season must’ve been a pretty good one to be a Pole… Ruza here, Jacob Jankowski next door, Tamara de Lempicka + Tadeusz Lempicki, and wasn’t there a Polish character in Harmony?

I’m clearly in the minority, but what a treat it is to have two rock-solid historical musicals in the same spring, let alone a whole season. 

Not a perfect show, but very much worth seeing. Should def be around for election season going into January

 

 

 

 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 5:39am

I believe McLean was upstate this week working on a play she wrote with Adam Chanler-Berat. I’m assuming she’ll be back in the show this week.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 8/28/24 at 6:12pm

Finally saw this after months of avoiding it. Really enjoyed it, especially in light of recent events. Shaina’s understudy was on today (…among many many understudies) and think I enjoyed it more hearing the score sung from a proper Broadway voice.   I haven’t been able to get through the OBCR and I think she might be the reason why: just not a fan of her voice. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 8/28/24 at 6:41pm

FYI, Hawley Gould is an alternate, not an understudy or standby.