Broadway is set to welcome a powerful new production in the spring of 2025, as the Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s acclaimed play ‘Purpose’ heads to the Great White Way. The play, penned by Tony Award-winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, will mark the Broadway directorial debut of two-time Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad.
‘Purpose’ will begin previews on February 25, 2025, at The Helen Hayes Theater, with an official opening scheduled for mid-March. The production’s casting details are yet to be announced.
The play tells the story of the Jasper family, a pillar of Black American politics for decades, with members who have served as civil rights leaders, pastors, and congressmen. Beneath the surface, however, lie cracks and secrets. The plot intensifies when the youngest son, Nazareth, returns to Illinois with an unexpected guest, forcing the family to confront their past, their faith, and the enduring legacies of Black radicalism.
‘Purpose’ first premiered on March 14, 2024, at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company, where it quickly became one of the highest-grossing shows in the theatre’s history. The production was commissioned by Steppenwolf and received widespread acclaim for its compelling narrative and powerful performances.
Jacobs-Jenkins, who is fresh off his Tony Award win for ‘Appropriate’, brings a nuanced exploration of the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement in ‘Purpose’. As he explained in an interview, the play grapples with how the movement has impacted generations, questioning whether the sense of purpose it instilled in an older generation still resonates with today’s youth.
The Broadway production of ‘Purpose’ will feature an accomplished creative team, including scenic design by Todd Rosenthal, costume design by Dede M. Ayite, lighting design by Amith Chandrashaker, and sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen. Casting will be handled by JC Clementz and Calleri Jensen Davis.
The play is produced by David Stone, Debra Martin Chase, Marc Platt, LaChanze, Rashad Chambers, Aaron Glick, and Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Although ‘Purpose’ will be staged at The Helen Hayes Theater, it is not affiliated with Second Stage Theater.
As anticipation builds, ‘Purpose’ is poised to be one of the most talked-about Broadway debuts of the season, with Phylicia Rashad’s directorial touch promising to bring a fresh perspective to this powerful narrative.