‘Suffs’ Musical Highlights Philadelphia Suffrage History

The musical Suffs is taking to the road for its first North American tour, arriving in Philadelphia at the Academy of Music. Suffs is running now through Sunday, Jan. 18, introducing audiences to Philadelphia's suffrage history amid America 250 commemorations in the city.

Suffs premiered at New York's Public Theater in 2022, moved to Broadway in 2024, and earned six Tony nominations. Creator Shaina Taub won for Best Book and Best Score, marking the first time a woman won both categories on a single night. Suffs is also the winner of the Outer Critics' Circle Award for Best New Musical.

Taub told The Philadelphia Inquirer that she developed Suffs to spotlight the suffrage movement, centering on South Jersey Quaker activist Alice Paul.

The Philadelphia connection is reinforced by Taub's regional ties to Vermont and New Jersey, Alice Paul's Bronx- and Philadelphia-linked history, and the show's connections to institutions of higher education in the Philadelphia region, such as Swarthmore College and Bryn Mawr College.

Tickets and more information are available on the Ensemble Arts Philly website.

The Academy of Music is at 240 S. Broad St. in Philadelphia.