By AJ Jaffari

What happens when protest meets powerhouse vocals? Suffs at BroadwaySF transforms the story of the women’s suffrage movement into a thrilling, modern musical event—equal parts history lesson and anthem for change. Written, composed, and originally led by Shaina Taub, the show electrifies early 20th-century history with contemporary rhythm, poetic dialogue, and bold theatricality. It’s a rare musical that manages to entertain, educate, and empower all at once.

Set during the final push for the 19th Amendment, Suffs follows Alice Paul and her band of trailblazing women as they take on Washington, society, and even divisions within their own movement. Through marches, meetings, and moments of doubt, the musical captures both the triumphs and the tensions that come with fighting for a seat at the table. What results is a sharp, stirring portrait of persistence—one that reminds us that progress often starts with the voices willing to sing the loudest.

Maya Keleher (Alice Paul) was absolutely stellar in this production. From the moment she stepped on stage, she had this presence that completely drew me in. Her vocals were powerful yet grounded, and she delivered them with such ease and emotion that I couldn’t look away. What I loved most was how real she felt—there was heart behind every line, every note. She brought a balance of strength and vulnerability that made her performance not just impressive, but genuinely moving. It’s one of those performances that sticks with you long after the curtain call.

Laura Stracko (Alva Belmont) was another standout for me. She brought such sharpness and poise to her role. Her comedic timing was spot-on, but she also carried an emotional weight that grounded the show in real feeling. One of the most memorable moments from the entire show for me was her touching rendition of “A Letter from Harry’s Mother,” which she delivered with such tenderness and restraint that the entire theater seemed to hold its breath.

From a production standpoint, Suffs was nothing short of breathtaking. The live orchestra brought such fullness and energy to the score — every cue felt alive, and I loved hearing that richness fill the theater. While this is a score I found to be heavily character driven and wordy, there were several songs that stood out to me and I enjoyed. The costumes were another standout, beautifully detailed and era-accurate while still allowing for movement and modern flair, of course masterfully crafted by the Oscar winning Paul Tazewell. Each look felt purposeful, helping define character and status without ever feeling heavy-handed. And the set design? Absolutely stunning. Clean, dynamic, and cleverly functional, it moved the story forward seamlessly while giving the performers room to shine. All these elements came together to create a world that felt both historical and immediate — a perfect reflection of what Suffs is all about.

Suffs runs through November 9 and tickets are available here.