Suffs, the Broadway musical about the women’s suffrage movement, has announced its closing date, with the final performance set for January 5, 2025. The show, which opened on April 18, 2024, captivated audiences with its powerful portrayal of the fight for women’s right to vote. Created by Shaina Taub, who stars as activist Alice Paul, Suffs earned critical acclaim, backed by two Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score. However, despite its early success and prominent supporters like Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai, the production will end after a 10-month run on the Great White Way.
The musical had initially garnered significant attention, especially after its well-received performance at the Tony Awards in June, which helped Suffs achieve a box office high of $942,785.35 in the week following the ceremony. However, the musical did not win the coveted Best Musical prize, and since then, weekly grosses have gradually declined. While attendance has remained respectable, averaging between 80 and 90 percent of the theater’s capacity, the financial realities of Broadway, with its high running costs, made it difficult for the production to remain sustainable without consistently hitting grosses closer to the $1 million mark.
The story of Suffs is largely sung-through and traces the history of the women’s suffrage movement in America, spotlighting key figures who fought for the right to vote. Directed by Leigh Silverman, the musical first premiered Off-Broadway at the Public Theater in April 2022 before making its transition to Broadway. The production has been hailed for introducing audiences to historical figures like Alice Paul, many of whom were unfamiliar to modern viewers, while highlighting the enduring relevance of their struggle.
“We are deeply grateful to our cast and company for bringing the story of the suffs to life on stage,” said producers Jill Furman and Rachel Sussman in a statement. “Seeing audiences connect with these inspiring women, especially in this election season, has been incredibly profound. We’re honored to have played a part in reviving the suffragists’ fight for the vote and are excited to share this story with new audiences across the country.”
Looking ahead, Suffs will live on as it embarks on a national tour, beginning at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre in September 2025, with additional cities to be announced. The musical’s upcoming tour ensures that the story of the suffragists will continue to resonate with audiences nationwide, even after its Broadway run comes to an end.
The closure of Suffs adds to a growing list of musicals from the 2023-2024 Broadway season to announce their final performances, following recent news from The Notebook and Water for Elephants, as well as earlier announcements from The Who’s Tommy and Lempicka.
Despite its closure, Suffs has left a lasting impact, bringing a significant chapter of women’s history to the stage and reminding audiences of the powerful legacy of the suffragists’ fight for equality.