Tony winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Purpose officially opens its Broadway premiere run at the Helen Hayes Theater March 17 after beginning previews February 25. Tony winner Phylicia Rashad is directing, making her Broadway directorial debut. The run will continue through July 6.
Get a first look at the show with newly released video highlights above, and production shots in the gallery below.
The Broadway bow is a transfer of a production that began at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, the work's world premiere. Though playing the Hayes, Purpose is not a Second Stage production.
Get your own copy of the official opening night Purpose Playbill at The Playbill Store.
The ensemble cast includes 2024 Tony winner Kara Young (Purlie Victorious), new to the production's Broadway premiere, as Aziza Houston. Also new for this go-around is LaTanya Richardson Jackson as Claudine Jasper, together with Young joining returning cast members Harry Lennix as Solomon "Sonny" Jasper, Jon Michael Hill as Nazareth "Naz" Jasper, Glenn Davis as Solomon "Junior" Jasper, and Alana Arenas as Morgan Jasper. Understudies Petronia Paley, Esau Pritchett, Chris Myers, and Sojourner Brown round out the company. Casting is by Calleri Jensen Davis, with original casting by JC Clementz.
Here's why Playbill thinks you should see the show.
Read the reviews below.
CitiTour NYC (Brian Scott Lipton)
The Guardian (Jesse Hassenger)
New York Magazine/Vulture (Jackson McHenry)*
New York Post (Johnny Oleksinski)
New York Stage Review (Bob Verini, David Finkle)
New York Theater (Jonathan Mandell)
New York Theatre Guide (Joe Dziemianowicz)
The New York Times (Jesse Green)*
TheaterMania (Zachary Stewart)
The Wall Street Journal (Charles Isherwood)*
The Washington Post (Naveen Kumar)*
*This review may require creating a free account or paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
The work follows an Illinois family of civil rights leaders, pastors, and congressmen—pillars of Black American politics—with secrets lying just beneath the surface. The youngest son Nazareth returns home with an uninvited friend that ultimately forces the family to reckon with itself, their faith, and the legacies of Black radicalism.
Rashad is reprising her work at the production's helm after staging the Chicago world premiere, and has reassembled her creative team for the Broadway bow. Scenic design is by Todd Rosenthal, with costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Amith Chandrashaker, and sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen. Hair and wig design are by Tony honoree Nikiya Mathis, and Tiffany N. Robinson serves as production stage manager with general management by 321 Theatrical Management.
Visit PurposeOnBroadway.com.
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