Curtain Call for "Suffs": A Feminist Musical's Bittersweet Broadway Finale

The highly anticipated feminist musical "Suffs," produced by former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is set to conclude its Broadway run prematurely due to financial challenges, according to a report in the New York Times. The decision, announced on Friday, marks a bittersweet end to the production's journey, which had aimed to shine a spotlight on the women's suffrage movement.

A Struggle to Sustain the Spotlight

Capitalization Woes and Dwindling Ticket Sales

The musical, which debuted in April, was capitalized to gross $19 million, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings reviewed by the Times. However, the production has failed to recoup that investment, with the week ending October 6 seeing only $679,589 in earnings – a figure typically insufficient to sustain a Broadway show with a large cast.The show's struggles to fill seats were evident as early as two weeks after its official performance, with data from the week of May 5 indicating that the Clinton-produced play only reached 81% capacity across eight performances. Competing against established Broadway hits like "Romeo & Juliet," "Sweeney Todd," and "Moulin Rouge! The Musical," "Suffs" found itself in the bottom 23% of all 35 shows on Broadway for that week.

A Shorter-Than-Average Run

By the time the curtain falls on "Suffs," the musical will have clocked 24 previews and 301 performances – slightly lower show counts than the average Broadway production. The final performance on Broadway is scheduled for January 5, 2025, after which the show will embark on a nationwide tour, beginning in Seattle in September of the same year.

Protests and Controversy

The musical's run was not without its share of controversy. In July, a group of radical protesters interrupted a "Suffs" performance, accusing the production of representing a "betrayal of the next generation of feminists." The group's website stated, "We REJECT this rehashed white feminism. This action is brought to you by an autonomous group of radical, anti-racist, queer feminists."

Critical Acclaim and Tony Wins

Despite its relatively short Broadway run, "Suffs" received positive reviews from critics and was recognized with Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in June 2024. During the awards ceremony, Clinton referenced her 2016 presidential defeat, stating, "Now, I have stood on a lot of stages, but this is very special. And I know a little bit about how hard it is to make change."

A Bittersweet Farewell

The closure of "Suffs" on Broadway marks a bittersweet moment for the production's team, including its co-producer, Malala Yousafzai, and the former First Lady. While the musical's critical acclaim and Tony wins are a testament to its artistic merit, the financial challenges that led to its premature end serve as a reminder of the complexities and uncertainties inherent in the world of Broadway theater.As the curtain falls on "Suffs" in New York, the production's nationwide tour promises to bring its message of women's empowerment and the ongoing fight for equality to audiences across the country. The legacy of this feminist musical, though cut short on Broadway, will undoubtedly continue to inspire and educate audiences for years to come.