Review: A “Yes” Vote for Suffs by Grace Schmidt

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Whatever you do, do not call them “Suffragettes.” As Doris, played by a sweet Amanda Lopez, tells us in Suffs, that word was meant to make the women advocating for the right to vote seem small and unserious. Like dolls that you pat on the head and then put away where they are neither seen, nor heard, Suffs, the Tony-winning musical playing now through April 12 at the Orpheum Theater, reminds us that the women who fought for the 19th Amendment were nothing of the sort. They were brave, bold, and strategic. 

Suffs shines with an all-female cast. Even the two male characters, Dudley Molone and President Woodrow Wilson, were portrayed by crowd-favorites Brandi Porter and Jenny Ashman, respectively. Ashman’s portrayal of President Wilson made him seem like a slimy politician, which was great acting because I found President Wilson to be extremely frustrating. One song, “Let Mother Vote (Reprise)” used President Wilson’s own words to highlight his indifference about whether women got the right to vote.

The music did a great job weaving motherhood into the story. Songs like “Let Mother Vote” and “Great American Bitch” were an incredible start to the first act. “Worth It” was almost too much to handle if you’ve ever wondered what your mother could have accomplished had you not been born. Similarly, “A Letter from Harry’s Mother” was just as moving, making you imagine that your mom’s sacrifices might have been worth it after all. 

Suffs doesn’t shy away from the darker parts of history. The scenes showing imprisonment and torture were handled really well, but a sensitive audience member might find it to be a lot. One duet was particularly difficult to watch as one person sang about their deep suffering and their singing partner denied that the first was suffering at all. 

The show struggled to find humor. Several jokes were cheesy and detracted from the seriousness of some moments. There were moments in the first act where the show felt like it down-played the important movement in an attempt at humor. But the humor appropriately washed away towards the end of the first act and the entirety of the second act.

In an inspiring moment of life mirroring art, a large portion of the audience dressed in beautiful white clothes. What a message for the audience to show-up together and celebrate those who made history! Our world feels heavy right now. Seeing a community come together to see an all-female-cast musical that celebrates one of the most important victories in our country’s history, it makes one feel like something good may come out of these troubling times. Suffs is a reminder of the struggle to get basic rights and a call to action that we must continue to fight for them. I vote “yes” to seeing this show!

Suffs

  • When: Through Sunday, April 12, 2026

  • Where: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis

  • Tickets: hennepinarts.org

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