Casting has been revealed for the Broadway transfer of the new musical “Suffs.” The previously announced production, directed by Tony Award nominee Leigh Silverman, will begin previews on March 26 and open on April 18 at the Music Box Theatre.
Shaina Taub, the musical’s book writer, composer and lyricist, will play the leading character of Alice Paul, a role she performed during the Public Theater’s world premiere in 2022.
Also reprising their roles from the Off-Broadway production will be Tony winner Nikki M. James as Ida B. Wells, Tony nominee Jenn Colella as Carrie Chapman Catt, Grace McLean as President Woodrow Wilson, Ally Bonino as Lucy Burns, Tsilala Brock as Dudley Malone, Nadia Dandashi as Doris Stevens, Jaygee Macapugay as Mollie Hay and Hawley Gould as the alternate for Alice Paul. Hannah Cruz, who played Ruza Wenclawska at the Public, will now play Inez Milholland.
Joining the production for the Main Stem mounting will be Tony nominee Emily Skinner as Alva Belmont/Phoebe Burn, Kim Blanck as Ruza Wenclawska, Anastacia McCleskey as Mary Church Terrell and Laila Drew as Phyllis Terrell/Robin.
James, a 2011 Tony winner for her turn in “The Book of Mormon,” most recently assistant-directed the 2017 revival of “Once on This Island.” Colella is a 2017 Tony nominee for her performance as Captain Beverley Bass in “Come From Away.” McLean appeared as the Queen in 2023’s “Bad Cinderella.” Macapugay appeared on the Main Stem earlier this season as the Imelda Marcos alternate in “Here Lies Love.” Gould’s most recent Broadway appearance was in the 2023 revival of “Camelot.” McCleskey performed on Broadway in 2021 in both the return engagement of “Waitress” and the revival of “Caroline, or Change.” A Tony nominee for 1997’s “Side Show,” Skinner most recently appeared on Broadway in 2023’s New York, New York.”
“Suffs” will mark the Broadway debuts of Taub, Bonino, Brock, Dandashi, Cruz, Blanck and Drew.
Rounding out the company will be returning cast members Jenna Bainbridge, Monica Tulia Ramirez, Ada Westfall, Christine Heesun Hwang, Kirsten Scott, Housso Semon and D'Kaylah Unique Whitley. Dana Costello joins the ensemble.
Scott will return to Broadway after a tenure in “Jersey Boys.” Housso most recently hit the Main Stem in “Girl From the North Country.” Whitley made her Broadway debut in “Dear Evan Hansen.” Costello’s most recent Broadway credit is “Pretty Woman.”
Bainbridge, Ramirez, Westfall and Hwang will all make their Broadway debuts in “Suffs.”
Casting is by Heidi Griffiths and Kate Murray.
Set in 1913, “Suffs” tells the story of the women’s suffrage movement from the perspective of those who shaped it.
“Suffs” is being produced by Jill Furman and Rachel Sussman. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Malala Yousafzai will serve as co-producers.
