SUFFS • November 11, 2025 • Eccles Theater
Photography by Joan Marcus courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
The touring production of SUFFS arrived at Eccles Theater in Downtown Salt Lake City with a burst of energy, conviction, and theatrical confidence that makes it one of the most engaging new musicals of this season of Broadway at the Eccles. The show, which dives into the final chapters of the American women’s suffrage movement, balances history with emotion in a way that feels both entertaining and unexpectedly urgent. What makes this touring version particularly striking is how it manages to retain the intimacy of the story while embracing a broader national audience.
I must admit I was not familiar with the historical figures in this story. After seeing SUFFS, I’m disappointed at my lack of knowledge in the whole movement. Watching this production has inspired me to learn more and dive deeper into all that these women did.
From its opening moments, the production establishes a tight pace. The staging feels purposeful and kinetic—scenes transition through rolling set pieces, banners, and projections that suggest headlines, parades, and political upheaval without ever overwhelming the storytelling. While the original Broadway staging leaned more heavily into sharp, angular movement, the touring production softens some of those edges, allowing more focus on character interactions. This shift works in the show’s favor, grounding the political stakes in personal relationships.
At the center of the production is the commanding lead performance of Maya Keleher as Alice Paul. Paul is portrayed by Keleher with a combination of determination, idealism, and stubbornness that drives the entire narrative. Her vocals are crisp and clear, with an emotional punch that lands especially well in the quieter, more reflective moments. Maya captures Alice Paul’s intensity but also the vulnerability beneath her public bravado. Her scenes with Gwynne Wood as Lucy Burns are among the best in the show—equal parts tense, affectionate, and quietly heartbreaking.
The ensemble is strong, threading comedy through the story without undermining the seriousness of the subject matter. The dynamic between the younger activists and the more established suffrage leaders adds a welcome tension. The generational divide, portrayed with humor and frustration, feels refreshingly familiar to contemporary audiences. The blocking and choreographed moments support this contrast with distinct movement vocabularies: rigid formation for the old guard, looser and more expressive gestures for the younger group. It gives the show visual clarity and personality.
It’s really difficult to select only a few members of this cast to spotlight. The entire company was stellar. But to name a few members of this cast, I want to start with Merrill Peiffer as Carrie Chapman Catt. From what I understand, she is the understudy for this part. I would never have known if I wasn’t told this. The role is integral to the story. I thought Peiffer did an amazing job with the dynamics of this character.
Monica Tulia Ramirez, who played Inez Milholland, a role she also played in the Broadway production, was one of the standout performers of the night. A role that brings a lot of levity to the show, but also some of the musical’s most poignant moments. I found Monica’s portrayal engaging and moving.
Again, this entire cast was phenomenal in their individual roles and as an ensemble. This show has such a powerful message. This company delivered in purposeful and meaningful ways that truly captivated this audience.
The music overall remains one of the show’s strongest assets. Many of the songs are catchy without being shallow, earnest without tipping into sentimentality. I heard people singing some of the songs on the way to their cars.
I didn’t see the Broadway production, so I don’t know if the staging is similar or stripped down for tour. But I thought the sets and lighting stood out. They lent themselves to every scene, moving in and out seamlessly and pacing the story along in a fluid way. I also thought the costume design was perfect. It was easy to be taken to the era where this production takes place. With simple but effective staging and stand-out costumes, our imaginations took us the rest of the way.
As a man, I feel a little out of place being the one to write this review. I enjoyed the show, yes, and the impact of this story most certainly resonated with me. But the way this story affected the women of this audience is not something I can just write about. So I decided, as I was leaving the theater, to record some of the responses around me. They are the ones whose opinions and voices about this musical should be heard. This is what the women of the audience said about SUFFS..
“I want to go do something! I want to make a difference!”
“This is bigger than just the right to vote now. That’s been done. It’s about women and men coming together to make a bigger difference. We need to keep fighting for our voice.”
“Washington still isn’t listening to us. We got them there, and they’re still not listening to what we want.”
“So much of this hasn’t changed that much. Women are still assaulted by their bosses. I’ve been called all of those names in “G.A.B.”
“I liked the way they showed the generations of women and what they did in their time. How each generation wanted to do even more than the next.”
My heart was warmed by the fervor, passion to continue change, and motivation was brought on by SUFFS. Sometimes it feels like it takes a lot to inspire people these days. But it was clear to me that this audience was not only inspired, but it was as if a fire was lit in them to continue this story in a positive way.
Ultimately, the touring production of SUFFS is a vibrant, heartfelt piece of musical theater that manages to feel both historical and freshly relevant. It’s a smart, spirited show that leaves audiences energized, thoughtful, and perhaps even a little inspired to act.
A PATH FORWARD – Suffrage Monument
Utah proudly honors women’s suffrage with a remarkable monument located across from the State Capitol. This site commemorates the 19th Amendment and Utah’s historic role as the first place where women voted under an equal suffrage law in 1870.
Learn more: https://www.intermountainhistories.org/items/show/561
On November 13th, I had the opportunity to attend an event at the monument at the State Capitol. Utah Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson welcomed cast members Maya Keheher and Monica Tulia Ramirez to the Capitol grounds. Henderson shared with the cast members some women’s history in Utah. Including that Utah women were the first in the United States to vote under an equal suffrage law. She told them about Seraph Young, the first to cast her ballot in Salt Lake City on February 14, 1870.
We were then given a tour of the State Capitol by the Lieutenant Governor. Not every day you get to experience that! We were shown inside the house chambers the painting of that historic date when Seraph Young cast her vote. We were also shown the monument of Young that is in the United States Capitol in Washington D.C. It was an incredible experience. Keheher and Young were gifted books and pins. They graciously took photos with the Lt. Governor and her staff. They were interviewed on TV and by the press. I enjoyed seeing their response to the entire event. They seemed to be genuinely moved by the stories they were hearing.
This weekend, there will be a Voices For Women Festival. Celebrating women’s empowerment in Utah. This is being presented by the musical SUFFS. It will take place on November 14-15 at Eccles Theater, McCarthey Plaza.
SUFFS will be playing at Eccles Theater until November 16. For ticket information, click here!