Purpose is a stage play written by American playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The play is a family drama detailing the life of the fictional Jasper family.[1]
| Purpose | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Branden Jacobs-Jenkins |
| Date premiered | 2024 |
| Place premiered | Steppenwolf Theatre Company |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Drama |
| Setting | Chicago, U.S. Present-day |
Synopsis
editThe fictional Jasper family, a prominent African-American family living in Chicago, reunite under the same roof under auspicious circumstances. Revelations are discovered as they attempt to define their value to each other and their identity within black culture and politics.[2]
Notable casts
edit| Character | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| - | 2024 | |
| Nazareth "Naz" Jasper | Jon Michael Hill | |
| Claudine Jasper | Tamara Tunie | |
| Solomon "Sonny" Jasper | Harry Lennix / Cedric Young | |
| Morgan Jasper | Alana Arenas | |
| Solomon "Junior" Jasper | Glenn Davis | |
| Aziza Jasper | Ayanna Bria Bakari | |
Production history
editThe play was commissioned by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and was workshopped in 2019 at the Colorado New Play Festival. After additional readings and workshops, the play premiered as part of Steppenwolf's 2023–2024 season March 14-April 28, directed by Phylicia Rashad. It was later announced the production would transfer to Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre as part the 2024-2025 Broadway season, with David Stone, Debra Martin Chase, Marc Platt, LaChanze, Rashad Chambers, Aaron Glick and The Steppenwolf Theatre Company producing. While the production is not part of Second Stage Theatre Company's season, it is included in their subscription plan for members.[3][4][5][6]
References
edit- ^ Steppenwolf.org Purpose accessed 08/16/2024
- ^ Chicago Sun-Times Purpose Review accessed 08/16/2024
- ^ Playbill.com Purpose will play Broadway accessed 08/16/2024
- ^ Second Stage Season 46 accessed 08/16/2024
- ^ AmericanTheatre.Org Colorado Seeing New Plays accessed 08/16/2024
- ^ Chicago Tribune Purpose Review accessed 08/16/2024