Shaina Taub's SUFFS at the Public to feature Phillipa Soo, Nikki M. James, Jenn Colella, Grace McLean, Taub, and more — Page 12

The show could use some tightening but I don't understand what the point would be of going out of town. Even if it gets raves out of town is the New York audience base going to say "Well it got bad reviews in New York but they LOVED it in Seattle" 

I thought the impact of the show was extraordinary a few days after the Roe news broke. But I do think it's a difficult message... the struggle is never over, nobody ever accomplishes permanent change on their own. To not be discouraged because failure is part of the process.  It's also a story most people don't know the details of and it's fairly well told. If it didn't transfer I think that'd be a real loss and it speaks to our moment so strongly. 

Not that anybody asked but I wish they'd pitch the joke-y opening number. It's sloppily staged, not all that funny, and doesn't set the tone for what is mostly a very earnest show. The number could be moved elsewhere in the show even... it just doesn't set us up for what we're going to see. It needs a Comedy Tonight. Also, we saw the standby... and while lovely, very talented, and moving in the final few scenes... she just didn't have the charisma and verve the character needed to attract all those folks to her cause. A dynamic performance at its center would really carry the show (which perhaps you get with Ms. Taub). 

 

We all just need to accept that this show is done. It will return next week for the final weekend of performances and that’s that. 

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Figuring out a happy balance of satire/comedy and earnestness is paramount. Some of that is a Leigh Silverman problem, but some of it is a Shaina problem. I love the contrast of the comedy numbers, but the show feels a little disjointed right now."

I just don't think the show was ready for New York. They should have gone to a regional and figure out the tonal issues. Now, I'm afraid it's just too late. 

 

TaffyDavenport: My Suffs history:

April 9th - cancelled

May 21st - cancelled

May 25th - cancelled

Just found a seat for May 26th - 4th time's a charm?

Wow, I admire your persistence. I hope you finally get to see it.  

Melissa25 said: "TaffyDavenport:MySuffshistory:

April 9th - cancelled

May 21st - cancelled

May 25th - cancelled

Just found a seat for May 26th - 4th time's a charm?

Wow, I admire your persistence. I hope you finally get to see it."

Thanks, I'm very determined, so fingers crossed for the 27th now!

To be fair, my first seat was for March 27th, but I moved it because I didn't want to miss watching the Oscars live. Poor planning on my part, but, hopefully, it'll all work out in the end. 

Just curious: is anyone aware of a reason (an actual reason -- another commitment of the space or the leads ... really, please -- just facts, not opinions) that would prevent them from extending another couple of weeks?

As with any show, people's contracts run until a certain date that builds in extensions and so forth, and they have commitments to other projects, shows, rehearsals after that. There is the entire cast, creative team, tech team, orchestra, etc. and people don't block out their calendars indefinitely. 

On one singular note, yes, Devil Wears Prada, for example, starts rehearsals this Monday. That is merely one example, but surely not the only one involving people involved in the current production. 

BCfitasafiddle said: "Will there be a transfer announcement?"

I don't think that right when an Off Broadway show closes is when a transfer announcement is necessarily made. Many shows have either more than one tryout venue or additional workshops/labs, as opposed to just one "tryout," before they transfer to Broadway. 

Examples: 
Hadestown (Off Broadway, London, Edmonton)

A Stranger Loop (Off Broadway, DC)

The Great Comet (Ars Nova, Off Broadway, ART in Cambridge)

Paradise Square (Off Broadway, Berkeley Rep)

Kimberly Akimbo (South Coast Rep, Off Broadway, Theaterworks (CT), Off Broadway)

Dear Evan Hansen (DC, Off Broadway)

Six (UK, Chicago, ART/Cambridge)

Come From Away (La Jolla, Seattle, DC, Toronto)

Be More Chill (NJ, CT, Off Broadway)

Bright Star (Powerhouse/Vassar, Old Globe, Kennedy Center)

Spring Awakening (La Jolla, Roundabout, Lincoln Center, Atlantic Theater Company)

So, a lot of original musicals don't have one staging and then immediately transfer to Broadway, but may have another staging at another venue, or additional workshops/labs to continuing refining, etc.  

Updated On: 5/20/22 at 11:04 PM

FYI, they released a bunch of seats for both shows on Saturday.

RippedMan said: "Exactly my point Soozie. I think it could go that route and still be successful. It sounds like it needs fine tuning all around, design, direction, tone.

When/Where did Paradise Square play Off Bway? Can't find any info on it."

It didn't play off-Broadway, but it had an out of run tryout in Chicago last year.

Oh all good! I was just curious to see the scale of it, but thanks for explaining!