“Purpose,” a new play by Tony Award winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, is headed to Broadway. “Purpose” will begin previews on Feb. 25, 2025 and open in March at the Hayes Theater. Tony winner Phylicia Rashad, who directed the drama’s spring 2024 world premiere at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company, will helm the Broadway mounting. “Purpose” is being produced by David Stone, Debra Martin Chase, Marc Platt, LaChanze, Rashad Chambers, Aaron Glick and Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
“Purpose” follows the Jasper family, known in their Illinois community as a pillar of Black American politics. When youngest son Nazareth returns home with an uninvited friend, the family is forced to reckon with its own faith and legacy within the community.
Jacobs-Jenkins won a Tony in 2024 for the Broadway revival of his play “Appropriate.” He has twice been named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama: in 2016 for “Gloria,” and again in 2018 for “Everybody.” His other plays include “The Comeuppance” and “An Octoroon.” Jacobs-Jenkins will pen the book for the Broadway-bound musical “Purple Rain.”
In her five decades working on Broadway, Rashad has been nominated for four Tony Awards, winning for her leading turn in the 2004 revival of “A Raisin in the Sun” and in 2022 for her featured turn in “Skeleton Crew.” She was also nominated in 2005 for her leading role in “Gem of the Ocean,” and in 2024 as producer of “Purlie Victorious.” Rashad is a six-time Emmy Award nominee for her work on “The Cosby Show,” “This Is Us” and the television adaptation of the aforementioned “Raisin in the Sun.” “Purpose” will mark her Main Stem directorial debut.
The “Purpose” creative team will include Tony-winning scenic designer Todd Rosenthal, Tony-winning costume designer Dede M. Ayite, Tony-nominated lighting designer Amith Chandrashaker and sound designers Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen.
Casting, by JC Clementz and Calleri Jensen Davis, as well as the production’s opening date, will be announced.
