NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Secretary of State, and Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate will be among the producers of ‘Suffs’ as it heads to Broadway this spring, the production team announced Wednesday.
Clinton and Yousafzai has joined the producing team behind "Suffs," a musical centered on the women's suffrage movement in the early 20th century. It explores the struggles faced by women in the United States in their fight for voting rights.
The announcement was made by the production team on Wednesday, revealing that "Suffs," which previously had an Off-Broadway run at the Public Theater last year, will make its Broadway debut in the spring.
“We are elated to welcome Secretary Clinton and Malala to our Suffs producing team,” said the show’s producers, Jill Furman and Rachel Sussman. “As powerful role models, they each inspire millions around the globe in their rigorous fight for equality, and we are honored to have two such profoundly dedicated and courageous advocates supporting us on Broadway.”
The musical is set to open at the Music Box Theater on April 18.
Shaina Taub, the singer-songwriter behind the project who wrote the book, music, and lyrics, is passionate about the musical. She also starred in the Off-Broadway production, although casting for the Broadway run has not yet been announced.
The production is directed by Leigh Silverman, known for her work on "Violet," and the lead producers are Jill Furman, known for her involvement in "Hamilton," and Rachel Sussman.
Clinton and Yousafzai will serve as ambassadors for the production, helping to promote it and providing input.
“I am thrilled to join with the team behind Suffs in bringing Shaina Taub’s remarkable musical about the unsung heroes of the American women’s suffrage movement to the Broadway stage – where it rightly belongs,” Clinton said in her statement. “And I can’t wait for audiences to experience this soul-stirring slice of long-overlooked American history; both entertaining and enlightening, Suffs paints a vivid picture of the necessary battles for democracy and equality that are still being fought today.”
“I loved Suffs when I saw it last year at The Public Theater,” Yousafzai said. “Many women around the world are still fighting for equality — and we draw inspiration and strength through learning the stories of those who came before us. I am honored to support Shaina and this production, and I hope Suffs echoes beyond Broadway to reach audiences worldwide.”