As a huge musical enthusiast, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the opening night of the musical SUFFS, now touring in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Pantages from November 18 to December 7.
What immediately caught my attention was how this musical celebrates women simply being women: bold, ambitious, flawed, powerful. SUFFS places a piece of women’s history right on stage for us to witness.
If you’re someone who loves Hamilton, Six, or Come From Away, you already know how phenomenal the intersection between history and musical theater can be. There’s something about watching a historical moment unfold through song that brings a new kind of awe. I still credit watching Hamilton back in 2017 for completely shifting the way I understood U.S. history; suddenly, readings that felt dry in my APUSH textbook became real stories about real people.
Watching SUFFS felt exactly like that – it was like watching my U.S. History textbook come back to life again. Set during the Progressive Era, the musical follows women defining themselves, finding their voices, and ultimately fighting for their rights. It reminded me of my own all-girls Catholic high school experience, where I grew up in a community that nurtured and challenged young women to reach their full potential. SUFFS reignited that message for me. It’s a story about women shaping and taking their places in an ever-changing world. And that message continues to resonate today.
“Direct from Broadway, comes the acclaimed Tony Award® winning musical SUFFS about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. Created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season, this “thrilling, inspiring and dazzlingly entertaining” (Variety) new musical boldly explores the triumphs and failures of a struggle for equality that’s far from over. Winner of the Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Musical.”
Broadway in Hollywood
Talking to Victoria Pekel: Insights into the story
Before seeing the show, I had a delightful opportunity to interview Victoria Pekel, who stars as Phyllis Terrell/Robin on the national tour. Fresh out of Columbia – recently graduating in May, auditioning in June, and now traveling city to city – Victoria carries this blend of a new graduate excitement and a grounded purpose. Talking to her truly made the story feel even more alive. She explained how SUFFS doesn’t shy away from being a feminist piece, but more importantly, how it humanizes the real women behind the movements through their flaws, tensions, contradictions, and all.
Going more in depth with the main character she plays, hearing her describe Phyllis, who is the daughter of a Black suffragist, a Delta woman, and a young activist representing the colored community who joined the march, gave me a deeper understanding going into the performance. It reminded me that this show isn’t just about getting the vote; it’s about whose voices get heard, who gets pushed along the sidelines, and who keeps fighting anyway.
Inside the Show: The Power, The Tension, The Chills
Throughout the show, I felt chills from the songs, the performances, and the story. The musical honors the real women who rallied, marched, struggled, and cried to push the amendment forward. It also doesn’t shy away from the racial dynamics of the movement, portraying them beautifully with honesty and care.
So much of the show lingers: the tension between generations, the refusal to “wait my turn,” and the lingering reminder that progress is possible but never guaranteed. Change requires marching together.
The show doesn’t just stop at Susan B. Anthony – we get the whole spark of mobilization. What SUFFS does so powerfully is show both sides of this fight:
- the conservative “old guard” who advocated slow, steady bargaining
- the radical young activists unwilling to compromise
The show makes it clear that the enemy was never each other. They shared the same goal and needed each other to reach it.
Why SUFFS still matters today
SUFFS is not just a historical retelling – it’s a reclamation of stories that were overlooked. Such conversations that these women had over a century ago are still unfolding today. Topics about representation, inclusion, and whose voices matter are still never-ending. It’s a reminder that history doesn’t remain in the past; rather, it echoes into the present. That now is the next time.
So don’t miss your chance
I genuinely invite everyone to witness what I experienced. And with a special 30% discount on select dates, this is the perfect chance to see SUFFS before its run at the Pantages ends. Don’t miss it. I highly recommend that you watch it – I would definitely rewatch this again, as this is a story that deserves to be seen, heard, and felt.