Shaina Taub's SUFFS at the Public to feature Phillipa Soo, Nikki M. James, Jenn Colella, Grace McLean, Taub, and more- Page 7

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 4/1/22 at 10:36am

It's interesting. I LOVED the whole show, but I do agree with you. The drama definitely heats up in the second act.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 4/1/22 at 10:57am

I think chrishuyen pretty much sums up my opinion. The second act is MUCH stronger musically, directorially and acting. I don't personally think Leigh Silverman is a strong director, especially for musicals. It honestly felt like a different person directed it. There were interesting things done with the set rather than just the stairs coming back and forth.

I ended up seeing a performance with Taub's standby and while some people are cautioning against it, I much preferred it. I have never liked Taub and find her whole schtick annoying so I was (for once) pleasantly surprised to find a sheet of paper in the Playbill. The other highlights for me were the rest of the "main" quartet who were pretty much all unknowns. Obviously Phillipa KILLED it. Grace McLean was amazing too in a surprise dual performance. Jenn Colella reminded me why I started loving her when I saw Chaplin. One of the biggest surprises for me was Nikki M James. Historically I do NOT liker her but I shockingly did in this. Maybe it's because there was less acting required being sung through for the most part.

I do have to make one comment on the accessibility. There is one actor in a wheelchair and she does walk for portions of the show. I thought it was kind of odd that there's someone in a wheelchair on a set that is comprised of only stairs. It basically meant she just rolled back and forth on the two lowest levels. Also there is one choreography at the start of Act 2 that didn't take this into account and just looked awkward. The rest of the cast is turning around so she just seemed out of place. Obviously I'm not saying never cast disabled actors but just make it feel incorporated rather than just done for the sake of doing it, similar to Ali Stroker in Oklahoma.

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 4/1/22 at 11:06am

What are we predicting the critics will say about this one? The reviews here seem to be mostly positive, but not as glowing as I would have thought. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/1/22 at 11:39am

HenryTDobson said: "What are we predicting the critics will say about this one? The reviews here seem to be mostly positive, but not as glowing as I would have thought."

It would be interesting to know if any gender bias is coming into play on this board.

I would predict reviews that are positive-with-a-few-reservations from critics (and bonus points for its ambitiousness and the way it interrogates its own characters), but my own assessment is more positive than some of the other people here. 

[ccbway]

Posted: 4/1/22 at 6:53pm

Just here to echo some of the opinions after seeing the show last night - I think I agree almost identically with chrishuyen, here are my main thoughts:

• Act 1 is too long, it felt like there were natural ending points multiple times but it just kept going and going.
• I understand wanting to do a sung through musical, but I felt like a lot of the songs in Act 1 were just sung dialogue. If the goal is to create a musical, it should have musical numbers in it, not just a play where the actors are singing long lines of dialogue. Songs should have choruses and hooks, a lot of the songs just sounded like pages of text set to music.
• Act 2 had a slight tonal shift in direction, but I think a much needed and preferred one from Act I.
• Phillippa Soo is just an amazing performer and while the cast is mostly good, she easily stands out, especially vocally. I understand the fascination with Shaina Taub since she wrote the musical, but nothing about her performance really stood out, people should be more than fine seeing an understudy/substitute when she is scheduled to miss.

Overall I liked, but didn't love this show. The fact that it has basically sold out its entire run shows some enthusiasm for it, but this needs a lot of work before it's anything close to the next Hamilton or anything. I think there is a solid foundation, but maybe it is a bit overhyped.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/2/22 at 11:10am

A couple of singles in row H popped up for tonight's performance.

[jpbran]

Posted: 4/2/22 at 12:31pm

Two Row D seats popped up for tomorrow’s Sun PM performance. 

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 4/2/22 at 1:05pm

My reaction to this sounds similar to otherwise--lukewarm. It has some potential, but is far too long and can benefit from some generous cuts. 

To me the biggest problem is that the music, in its strongest t, is decent. In the first act especially, I found the music to be dull and forgettable, and singing through scenes just didn't work. The melody and lyrics didn't scan together in a conversational way the way they do in, say, Caroline or Change, Hamilton, etc. It all became rather one note and a wash. 

The second act has some more interesting music, but the size of the music never reaches the size and depth of the story. Even with some editing, it's hard to imagine recovering from the for me. 

There were a few charming performances, but Philipa Soo is the clear standout to me--and I'm not usually a huge fan of hers. Her voice really stands out, and she's charming and brings the right amount of depth to Inez--though I wonder if her role is just a little more developed than others. 

Nikki M James has some moments but is mostly just criminally underused, and Grace McLean's presence is welcome every time she comes on stage.

But I never really felt anything emotional or visceral from these characters or their relationships. Everything is developed just enough to kind of know what's going on without ever really feel what's at stake for these women. 

Taub herself is neither here nor there--I wouldn't worry about missing her performance. I admire greatly the size of this undertaking on her part and she is serviceable as Alice Paul.

With some of the buzz it sounds like this will move to Broadway, but I can't imagine it making it very long without considerable work to a somewhat promising framework. 

[ccbway]

Posted: 4/2/22 at 3:07pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "HenryTDobson said: "What are we predicting the critics will say about this one? The reviews here seem to be mostly positive, but not as glowing as I would have thought."

It would be interesting to know if any gender bias is coming into play on this board.

I would predict reviews that are positive-with-a-few-reservations from critics (and bonus points for its ambitiousness and the way it interrogates its own characters), but my own assessment is more positive than some of the other people here."

Obviously, hard to defend my own opinion (as a cisgender straight male) when it comes to gender bias, but most of my issues with the show (which I see echoed by many others) have nothing to do with the subject matter, casting, plot, etc - but more about the music itself, the writing, the tone, the pacing, etc. (If anything, the subject matter, story, all-female cast, etc. were most of the positives I took away from the , IMO.)  Not sure why any of this would be something to break down gender lines, but I guess I wouldn't be qualified to say either way, although I think a lot of similar opinions are coming through on both sides of the gender line.

 

 

[dr_oit]

Posted: 4/2/22 at 4:18pm

I have a pair of tickets to SUFFS on May 12, which I’m looking to trade for another date. They’re in Row B. Does anyone have a pair they could trade? They were $266 total. 
 

And can someone explain how exchanges are done, since the tickets are connected to our Public Theater account? Thanks!

[bstoll1]

Posted: 4/2/22 at 7:27pm

How is Shaina Taubs standby?

Also for those who got tickets via todaytix rush did you request 1 or 2 tickets?

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 4/3/22 at 1:24am

Honestly, I could feel the Tony for Featured Actress with the cast alone. The three Tony nominees/winners of the company are actually great, Soo is kinda the heart here, but Colella is strong and Nikki is giving her best work yet - she has a very good control of the age factor.

Then you have Grace McLean, simply perfect as the president. Also, the three closest friends are also amazing, in the end I shed a tear with the “friend” moment.

The show is good, very good, has big potential, but needs work. I really liked the score, for sure would work on Broadway, its catchy and Theres at least 2/3 songs to stick with you.

I agree that the first act is too long, I would take 10 minutes, easily. Also, Dont know if its a Public thing, but the set and costumes are pedestrian, it needs an update for Broadway.

The direction is good, has good moments on Act 2, but can give better staging for the show.

Its very “Hamilton”, especially with Phillipa there in a period costume. Also mirrors “Hamilton” because Shauna is good but the lead is overshadowded but the featured players.

I really enjoy the show, I hope get work done and goes to Broadway

[willep]

Posted: 4/5/22 at 5:36pm

Per the Public’s Instagram, a number of positive Covid cases including Shaina Taub, so she is out for the next ten days and Holly is going on for opening night tomorrow.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/5/22 at 7:31pm

And tonight's show was cancelled.

[bstoll1]

Posted: 4/5/22 at 7:41pm

I was or thought I was lucky and got rush tickets for tonight. Shleped into the city only to find out it was canceled. I guess I'll have to try another 100x for rush tickets

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 4/6/22 at 10:43am

Would be nice if they told us who exactly is out since there are apparently "a number of other cast members". I'd be quite annoyed to not see Collela, McLean, Taub, James and Soo. I'm supposed to see this tomorrow evening, so I guess I'll find out. Sigh. 

[suicidalmickeymouse]

Posted: 4/6/22 at 12:08pm

I’m going Sunday. I feel (or at least I am hoping) that if it was someone else major, they would have announced that along with Taub. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/6/22 at 12:17pm

I don't expect that kind of transparency from the Public, so I wouldn't be too surprised if one of the other bigger names is also out. I'm supposed to go Saturday night, but I'm prepared to get a credit and take my chances with a future performance, depending on what we hear over the next couple of days. 

[willep]

Posted: 4/6/22 at 12:31pm

Do we really think that if they had to cancel yesterday for Covid they will be able to be back today? It’s not a case of them being in their first week and not having understudies prepped like some other shows.

[danaonotlater]

Posted: 4/6/22 at 2:04pm

I think the real question is how many people they have out and whether they have enough covers.  They only have 4 covers for everyone other than Shaina, who has the dedicated standby. 

I saw Holly Gould on as Alice Paul on Sunday night and she was absolutely fabulous! 

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:00pm

Tonight’s opening night performance has been canceled 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:24pm

So is tonight still going to be the review embargo, or will they move that too? Anxious to hear what critics think...assuming most of them were able to see it before the Covid outbreak? Usually critics wouldn't be put into a Tuesday night (first night back after a day off).

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:26pm

https://www.playbill.com/article/update-off-broadways-suffs-cancels-opening-night-performance-press-reviews-still-expected

Reviews will be expected

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:40pm

jacobsnchz14 said: "Reviews will be expected"

Excellent news! Thanks.

[bstoll1]

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:55pm

Updated On: 4/6/22 at 05:55 PM