Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai producing. An election coming. ‘Suffs’ has timing on its side – The Atlanta Journal Constitution
Satisfying but sobering, too. Fact is, few audience members know much about the American suffrage movement. So the all-female creative team behind "Suffs," which had a high-profile off-Broadway run and opens Thursday on Broadway with extensive revisions, knows they're starting from zero.
Its an opportunity, says Taub, who studied social movements but not suffrage at New York University. But its also a huge challenge: How do you educate but also entertain?
One member of the "Suffs" team has an especially poignant connection to the material. That would be producer Hillary Clinton.
She was, of course, the first woman to win the U.S. presidential nomination of a major party, and the first to win the popular vote. But Clinton says she never studied the suffrage movement in school, even at Wellesley. Only later in life did she fill in the gap, including a visit as first lady to Seneca Falls, home to the first American women's rights convention some 70 years before the 19th Amendment gave women the vote.
I became very interested in womens history through my own work, and writing and reading, Clinton told The Associated Press. And so, seeing Suffs off-Broadway, I was thrilled because it just helps to fill a big gap in our awareness of the long, many-decades struggle for suffrage.
It was Taub who wrote Clinton, asking her to come on board. I thought about it for a nanosecond, Clinton says, and decided absolutely, I wanted to help lift up this production. A known theater lover, Clinton describes traveling often to New York as a college student and angling for discounts, often seeing only the second act, when she could get in for free. For years, Id only seen the second act of Hair, she quips.
Clinton then reached out to Malala Yousafzai, whom Taub had also written about becoming a producer. As secretary of state, Clinton had gotten to know the Pakistani education activist who was shot by a Taliban gunman at age 15. Clinton wanted Yousafzai to know she was involved and hoped the Nobel Peace Prize winner would be, too.
Im thrilled," Clinton says of Yousafzais involvement, because yes, this is an American story, but the pushback against womens rights going on at this moment in history is global.
Yousafzai had also seen the show, directed by Leigh Silverman, and loved it. She, too, has been a longtime fan of musicals, though she notes her acting career both began and ended with a school skit in Pakistan, playing a not-very-nice male boss. Her own education about suffrage was limited to one or two pages in a history book that talked about the suffrage movement in the U.K., where shed moved for medical treatment.
"I still had no idea about the U.S. side of the story," Yousafzai told the AP. It was a struggle among conflicting personalities, and a clash over priorities between older and younger activists but also between white suffragists and those of color something the show addresses with the searing "Wait My Turn," sung by Nikki M. James as Wells, the Black activist and journalist.
This musical has really helped me see activism from a different lens, says Yousafzai. I was able to take a deep breath and realize that yes, were all humans and it requires resilience and determination, conversation, open-mindedness and along the way you need to show you're listening to the right perspectives and including everyone in your activism.
When asked for feedback by the Suffs" team, Yousafzai says she replied that she loved the show just as it was. (She paid a visit to the cast last month, and toured backstage.) Clinton, who has attended rehearsals, quips: I sent notes, because I was told thats what producers do.
Clinton adds: I love the changes. It takes a lot of work to get the storytelling right to decide what should be sung versus spoken, how to make sure its not just telling a piece of history, but is entertaining.
Indeed, the off-Broadway version was criticized by some as feeling too much like a history lesson. The new version feels faster and lighter, with a greater emphasis on humor even in a show that details hunger strikes and forced feedings.
One moment where the humor shines through: a new song titled "Great American Bitch" that begins with a suffragist noting a man had called her, well, a bitch. The song reclaims the word with joy and laughter. Taub says this moment and another where an effigy of President Woodrow Wilson (played by Grace McLean, in a cast that's all female or nonbinary) is burned has been a hit with audiences.
As much as the show has changed, she says, the spine of it is the same. A lot of what I got rid of was just like clearing brush.
Most of the original cast has returned. Jenn Colella plays Carrie Chapman Catt, an old-guard suffragist who clashed with the younger Paul over tactics and timing. James returns as Wells, while Milholland, played by Phillipa Soo off-Broadway, is now played by Hannah Cruz.
Given its parallels to a certain Lin-Manuel Miranda blockbuster about the Founding Fathers, it's perhaps not a surprise that the show has been dubbed "Hermilton" by some.
I have to say, Clinton says of Taub, I think shes doing for this part of American history what Lin did for our founders making it alive, approachable, understandable. Im hoping Suffs has the same impact Hamilton had.
That may seem a tall order, but producers have been buoyed by audience reaction. Theyre laughing even more than we thought they would at the parts we think are funny, and cheering at other parts, Clinton says. A particular cheer comes at the end, when Paul proposes the ERA. A cast member said, Whod have ever thought the Equal Rights Amendment would get cheers in a Broadway theater? Clinton recalls.
One clear advantage the show surely has: timeliness. During the off-Broadway run, news emerged the Supreme Court was preparing to overturn Roe vs. Wade, fueling a palpable sense of urgency in the audience. The Broadway run begins as abortion rights are again in the news and a key issue in the presidential election only months away.
Taub takes the long view. Shes been working on the show for a decade, and says something's always happening to make it timely.
I think, she muses, it just shows the time is always right to learn about womens history.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
- Opinion | Dear Boomers, the Student Protesters Are Not Idiots - The New York Times - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Trump: My only crime was beating Hillary Clinton - Washington Times - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Analysis: Out of Touch Hillary Clinton Insults Young Voters - Daily Kos - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Sen. Rick Scott again maintains that Clinton DOJ 'went after me' when he led his hospital chain Florida Phoenix - Florida Phoenix - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton-produced play Suffs failing to pack seats during peak Broadway season - Fox News - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Pelosi thinks Trump was 'stalking Hillary Clinton' in 2016 - WWJ - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Malala Yousafzai reaffirms support for Gaza after being slammed over producing musical with Hillary Clinton - Dawn - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton is Coming to Bulgaria - Novinite.com - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- Malala slammed for co-producing musical with Hillary Clinton - The New Arab - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- Malala Yousafzai confirms support for Palestine after backlash over musical with Hillary Clinton - The Hill - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton, down the rabbit hole - Washington Examiner - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- Malala Yousafzai criticised for 'feminist' Broadway collaboration with Hillary Clinton - Middle East Eye - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- Laura: Trump is on trial because he beat Hillary Clinton in 2016 - Fox News - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton attacks MAGA Supreme Court and blames Trump for horrifying abortion possibility - Washington Examiner - April 28th, 2024 [April 28th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai Toast Their New Broadway Show - The New York Times - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- 'Very Scary': Hillary Clinton Suggests 'What Trump Really Wants' Is To 'Kill His Opposition' - Daily Caller - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton Sums Up Arizona Abortion Ban With 1 Scathing Word - Yahoo News Canada - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Kelly Clarkson Tears Up, Tells Hillary Clinton She Was Hospitalized During Pregnancies - NBC Insider - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- How Hillary Clinton's aide survived husband's sexting scandal - Nation - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton and Shaina Taub on the Urgent Message of Broadway's 'Suffs' - Vogue - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Kelly Clarkson tells Hillary Clinton: Arizona abortion ruling is insane to me - The Hill - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton slams 'cruelty' of Arizona abortion law in interview with emotional Kelly Clarkson - Fox News - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton Sartorially Channels the Yellow Brick Road in Gold Coat for The Wiz Revival Premiere on Broadway - WWD - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton says 'Suffs' on Broadway 'could not be better timed' - Salamanca Press - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton says 'Suffs' on Broadway 'could not be better timed' - Iosco County News Herald - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- 'Suffs' star Nikki M. James describes meeting Hillary Clinton, one of the show's producers - Salamanca Press - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- 'Suffs' star Nikki M. James describes meeting Hillary Clinton, one of the show's producers - Iosco County News Herald - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton slams Arizonas horrifying abortion ban - Washington Examiner - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton Pops in Bow-Embellished Shoes for 'The Wiz' Opening Night - Yahoo Entertainment - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Biden 2024 is Starting to Look Like Hillary 2016 - AMAC Official Website - Join and Explore the Benefits - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai producing. An election coming. 'Suffs' has timing on its side - News-Press Now - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Clinton celebrates "Suffs" at Broadway opening | | oleantimesherald.com - Olean Times Herald - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton says 'Suffs' on Broadway 'could not be better timed' - shorelinemedia.net - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai producing. An election coming. 'Suffs' has timing on its side - Bowling Green Daily News - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- 'Suffs' star Nikki M. James describes first meeting Hillary Clinton, one of the show's producers - Yahoo News Canada - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai producing. An election coming. 'Suffs' has timing on its side - The Caledonian-Record - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Kelly Clarkson Got Emotional With Hillary Clinton About Her Difficult Pregnancies - Romper - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai producing. An election coming. 'Suffs' has timing on its side - Delta Democrat Times - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- ESPN star Stephen A Smith fires back at Hillary Clinton over remarks about voters: 'Last thing you need to do' - Fox News - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- 'Super predator' Hillary Clinton heckled by Palestine supporters over Gaza deaths: I hope their screams haunt you - Hindustan Times - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Are Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton Feuding? - imdb - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton right the first time about superpredators - Lynchburg News and Advance - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Bill Clinton to publish a memoir about life after the White House - WMTW Portland - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- 'It Feels Dismissive': The View's Alyssa Farah Griffin Slams Hillary Clinton for Telling Voters to 'Get Over Yourself' - OK! - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Stephen A. Smith takes aim at Hillary Clinton over Get over it comments - Awful Announcing - April 8th, 2024 [April 8th, 2024]
- Stepping Out From Hillary Clinton's Onscreen Shadow - The New York Times - March 22nd, 2024 [March 22nd, 2024]
- Top exec at Bill and Hillary Clinton airport in Arkansas shot as federal agents serve search warrant - Fox News - March 22nd, 2024 [March 22nd, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton Masterfully Trolls Trump After He Asks If Americans Are 'Better Off Than Four Years Ago' - Second Nexus - March 22nd, 2024 [March 22nd, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton: Half a billion dollars later, only Trump can say he was better off 4 years ago - The Hill - March 22nd, 2024 [March 22nd, 2024]
- Reason for raid on Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport exec's home where he was killed in shootout with feds is revealed - New York Post - March 22nd, 2024 [March 22nd, 2024]
- Protests disrupt Hillary Clinton's visit to Little Rock on Thursday Arkansas Advocate - Arkansas Advocate - March 22nd, 2024 [March 22nd, 2024]
- How Much Does Hillary Clinton Receive in Social Security Benefits? - Yahoo Finance - March 22nd, 2024 [March 22nd, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton and Deborah Lipstadt: Combating Antisemitism - Atlantik-Brcke e.V. - March 22nd, 2024 [March 22nd, 2024]
- Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport exec brain-dead, not expected to survive after he's shot in gunfight with feds: brother - New York Post - March 22nd, 2024 [March 22nd, 2024]
- Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport director injured in Arkansas shootout with ATF - AL.com - March 22nd, 2024 [March 22nd, 2024]
- Arkansas Airport Executive Shot During Wild Firefight With Feds - The Daily Beast - March 22nd, 2024 [March 22nd, 2024]
- Biden v Trump: winning suburbia is key to clinching the presidency in 2024 - The Conversation - March 22nd, 2024 [March 22nd, 2024]
- Executive director of Little Rock airport injured during shooting with ATF agents | Arkansas Democrat Gazette - Arkansas Online - March 22nd, 2024 [March 22nd, 2024]
- No one will be above the law: Smith torches Trump with his own words in response to claims of selective prosecution and comparison to Hillary Clinton... - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton says to move on from Biden's age: 'Let's go ahead and accept the reality' that he's old - Fox News - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Nikki Haley's Last Dance (Or, the Hillary Clinton of It All) - Vanity Fair - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton Defends Biden's Age and Rips Trump in New Interview - SiriusXM Blog - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton acknowledges Biden age criticisms, tells voters to 'accept the reality' - NBC Montana - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Huma Abedin once thought Hillary Clinton was going to fire her. Heres what really happened. - MSNBC - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Opinion: Kathleen Parker: Hillary Clinton was (mostly) right about the vast right-wing conspiracy - Boulder Daily Camera - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton tells voters to 'accept the reality' Biden is 'old' and re-elect him anyway - New York Post - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton: 'Accept the reality' Joe Biden is old - Fox News - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Clinton: Both candidates are old, but Trump endangers democracy - The Jerusalem Post - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Trump on Hillary Clinton: "I Don't Even Think About Her Anymore, To Be Honest" - RealClearPolitics - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton says it's time to 'accept the reality' that Biden, 81, is 'old': Former Secretary of State tel - Daily Mail - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Cherie Blair reveals advice Hillary Clinton gave her before she entered No 10 - Sky News - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton: Accept the reality, Biden is old - Arutz Sheva - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton Tells Democrats to Accept Reality: Joe Biden Is Old - Mediaite - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton: Bitcoin could replace the dollar as the reserve currency - crypto.news - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton blasted for uninspiring class at Columbia University, failing to 'loosen up' - Fox News - January 12th, 2024 [January 12th, 2024]
- Epstein documents don't prove Hillary Clinton visited Epstein Island | Fact check - USA TODAY - January 12th, 2024 [January 12th, 2024]
- Together in San Diego, Bill and Hillary Clinton talk Gaza, Trump and everything else - The San Diego Union-Tribune - January 12th, 2024 [January 12th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton Rips Donald Trump With Stark Choice On Guns - HuffPost - January 12th, 2024 [January 12th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton criticized by Columbia University students for lackluster class - Washington Examiner - January 12th, 2024 [January 12th, 2024]
- Hillary Clinton Reaches New Levels Of Cringe With Latest Instagram Post - Daily Caller - January 12th, 2024 [January 12th, 2024]
Tags: