In the world of theater, few works have the ability to provoke as much thought and discussion as the plays written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. His recent play Purpose has quickly gained attention, reintroducing Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre to Broadway with a raw, incisive examination of family, legacy, and the crushing weight of parental expectations. The play, which first premiered at Steppenwolf, is a blistering dissection of a powerful Black family and the emotional, moral, and personal costs that come with the larger-than-life figures in their lives. This play stands as a testament to Jacobs-Jenkins’ ability to capture the nuances of familial dynamics and expose the undercurrents of societal expectations that continue to shape the lives of those who grow up under such overwhelming influence.
The plot of Purpose revolves around a fictional family, the Jaspers, whose story bears more than a passing resemblance to that of real-life political figures, notably the Jacksons—specifically Rev. Jesse Jackson and his son Jesse Jackson Jr., who faced legal troubles in the early 2010s. In Purpose, the family grapples with the fallout of a scandal involving Junior Jasper, who has just returned from a stint in prison, while his wife, Morgan, is about to serve a prison sentence of her own. Through these characters, Jacobs-Jenkins explores the dynamics of a family caught in the throes of public scandal and the deep-rooted personal struggles that accompany such a legacy.
Directed by Phylicia Rashad, Purpose has made its Broadway debut at the Hayes Theater in New York, carrying with it a sense of deep, real-life urgency and relevance. The characters of Purpose are deeply flawed and richly human, caught between the demands of their public personas and the weight of their personal lives. The play offers a glimpse into the lives of people who have long been in the public eye—figures whose very existence has become inextricably linked to the legacies of their powerful, political parents. Through this lens, Purpose exposes the deep tensions between personal autonomy and the crushing expectations placed on individuals to live up to the grandeur and ideals their parents set before them.
The play’s strength lies in the way it evokes empathy for its characters while simultaneously scrutinizing their flaws and decisions. Central to the story is Naz Jasper, played by Jon Michael Hill, who serves as the audience’s guide through this tragicomic family drama. Naz’s character is a deeply introspective and emotionally distant figure, a stark contrast to the larger-than-life personas of his parents, Solomon and Claudine Jasper. Naz’s journey is one of self-discovery, as he contends with the wreckage of his family and the moral compromises that come with being the child of high-profile political figures. Hill’s portrayal of Naz is captivating, drawing the audience into his inner conflict and allowing them to experience the struggle of living in the shadow of someone else’s expectations.
Solomon Jasper, played by Harry Lennix, is a man who has been defined by his public service and his commitment to civil rights. As a political figure, Solomon’s importance is undeniable, but his flaws—especially as a husband and father—come into sharp focus throughout the play. Lennix delivers a nuanced performance as a man who is clearly aware of his own failings but refuses to acknowledge the full extent of the damage caused by his actions. His performance is a study in the complexity of pride and denial, offering a compelling portrayal of a man who, despite all his good intentions, has failed to build lasting, meaningful relationships within his family.
Claudine, played by Latanya Richardson Jackson, is another standout character in the production. As Solomon’s wife, she is both the supportive matriarch and the enabler, keeping the family’s secrets and maintaining the veneer of respectability. Richardson Jackson’s portrayal of Claudine is both heartbreaking and tragic, as she tries to hold together the crumbling facade of her family’s legacy while suppressing her own pain and anger. Her performance brings depth to the play’s exploration of the sacrifices made by women in powerful families and the emotional toll of keeping secrets for the sake of maintaining appearances.
The play also features strong performances from Kara Young as Aziza, a friend of Naz’s, who helps him navigate the complex terrain of his family’s dysfunction. Aziza represents an outsider’s perspective on the Jaspers’ family dynamics, offering a refreshing, often witty contrast to the weight of the drama unfolding within the home. Her presence on stage adds a much-needed layer of levity to an otherwise intense narrative, allowing the audience to reflect on the absurdity of the Jaspers’ situation while also empathizing with their struggles.
One of the most compelling aspects of Purpose is how Jacobs-Jenkins masterfully balances the personal and the political. The play’s portrayal of a family unraveling under the pressure of legacy and public image is not just a character study—it is a commentary on the cost of ambition and the price of public service. The Jaspers’ story is one of privilege, sacrifice, and failure, but it is also a story about the toll that public life takes on those who are tasked with carrying it forward. The play’s deeply political themes are underscored by the personal struggles of the characters, who must come to terms with the roles they have played in perpetuating the ideals they once championed.
In the end, Purpose is a devastatingly powerful reflection on the costs of public life, the weight of family legacy, and the often heartbreaking journey of self-discovery. It is a play that examines the intersection of personal and political ambition, exploring how the choices of one generation affect the next. Through its raw, unflinching portrayal of a family caught between their past and their future, Purpose challenges the audience to reconsider the narratives we tell ourselves about success, failure, and the price of ambition.
As the lights go down on Purpose, the audience is left to reflect on the complexity of human relationships and the enduring impact of family and legacy. The play is a timely reminder that our actions, both personal and public, leave lasting marks on those we love and the world around us.
