Suffs, a feminist Broadway musical, is set to conclude its eight-month run after failing to turn a profit.

The show, spearheaded in part by Hillary Clinton and meant to highlight the suffragette movement in the United States, will officially close on Jan. 5, 2025, after a disappointing run, as Breitbart reports.

The production, which opened on April 18, 2024, revolved around the suffragette movement and featured an all-female and non-binary cast.

Despite its noteworthy theme and backing from notable figures such as Hillary Clinton and Meena Harris, the venture struggled with attendance and revenue.

In the Broadway landscape of 2024, Suffs found itself battling economic and industry-specific challenges. The cost of mounting the production was substantial, with a reported budget of $19 million, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Unfortunately, the show could not recover these costs through ticket sales, leading to its impending closure.

Efforts to Promote the Musical

Hillary Clinton extensively promoted Suffs before its debut. Her promotional activities included appearances on late-night television and using her influence to tie a Democratic fundraiser to the musical’s launch, hoping this would bolster its reception and elevate its profile among potential audiences.

However, the Broadway landscape proved challenging. Despite being strategically released during the prime Broadway season, the show's attendance dwindled notably by May 2024, just one month after opening.

This dip was a telling sign of the difficulties facing Suffs in attracting a consistent audience.

While the summer months brought a modest improvement in attendance, it was insufficient to sustain the musical. By the week ending Oct. 6, 2024, audience numbers dipped back down again, bringing in a weekly gross of $679,589. This financial reality underscored the ongoing challenge of recouping its investment.

Broader Industry Challenges

Broadway in recent years has become notably challenging for new productions, particularly those without star power or established branding, such as Disney-related shows.

With rising inflation during the Kamala Harris and Joe Biden administration, operating costs for musicals climbed, further complicating profitability. Even long-standing shows like The Phantom of the Opera were affected.

Suffs, despite its meaningful narrative, could not escape the broader challenges pressuring the industry. Tourist traffic, a key component of Broadway's audience, often gravitates toward large-scale, family-friendly productions, adding another obstacle for a show like Suffs.

Future Plans for Suffs After Broadway

Amid these difficulties, the producers have announced plans for a national tour. Suffs is scheduled to begin its tour in Seattle in late 2025, potentially widening its reach and bringing its message to audiences who may have missed its Broadway run.

The narrative focus of Suffs on the suffragette movement remains a potent and relevant story. While its Broadway journey concludes, its producers hope that the message it conveyed will resonate with audiences across the country during its national tour.

Ultimately, Suffs faced hurdles common in today's Broadway environment, where economic pressures and audience preferences play crucial roles in a show's success or failure.

Its closing after just eight months highlights the competitive nature of Broadway and the continued evolution of audience tastes.

In conclusion, Suffs highlighted the history and achievements of suffragettes through its all-women and non-binary cast and was heavily promoted by Hillary Clinton.

Despite opening during the prime Broadway season, it succumbed to the significant challenges of turning a profit in today's market. A national tour is planned, potentially bringing new opportunities as it travels from city to city in 2025.