Historic Tony Victory: 'Purpose' Breaks Barriers
The buzz coming out of the 2025 Tony Awards is impossible to ignore. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ drama Purpose didn’t just walk away with Best Play—it smashed a decades-old barrier. Not since August Wilson’s Fences in 1987 has a Black playwright taken home that trophy. For theatergoers and insiders, that’s a seismic shift and a headline worth remembering for years.
At the heart of Purpose is the Jasper family, a Black clan deeply rooted in Chicago’s political and social scene. The plot picks up as the family welcomes their youngest son—and, unexpectedly, a new guest—back home. What follows is a raw, honest confrontation with long-ignored family fractures: faith, generational identity, ambition, and the pressure of public expectation all collide under one roof. Playwright Jacobs-Jenkins, who already has a Pulitzer on the shelf, describes his approach as a remix of the classic family drama. He says, “I’m just interested in family stories… finding new ways to tell it.”
From Chicago Success to Broadway Sensation
Before hitting Broadway, Purpose started at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago in spring 2023. Its success there was practically fuel for its Broadway run, landing a coveted spot at the Helen Hayes Theater in February 2024. Critics raved, early ticket buyers gobbled up seats, and buzz became so intense that a closing date originally set for July 6 got pushed back—now, you can catch the show through the end of August.
What makes the production stand out isn’t just the writing or the groundbreaking win. The cast is a powerhouse ensemble: LaTanya Richardson Jackson demands the stage as Claudine Jasper, backed by Harry Lennix as patriarch Solomon “Sonny” Jasper, and Jon Michael Hill as the youngest, Nazareth “Naz” Jasper. Glenn Davis, Alana Arenas, and Kara Young round out the family, with Young snagging her second Tony in as many years for her performance as Aziza Houston. Not too shabby for a single production.
The run time? Just under three hours including a quick intermission—enough time to pull audiences all the way into the Jaspers’ household drama. If you’re worried about ticket prices, there’s relief: the TodayTix app and in-person rush options mean you can grab seats for $45, with extra deals for groups and select performances. No wonder the demand led to that extension.
- Purpose is now the first play by a Black playwright to win Tony Best Play in almost four decades.
- The production’s direction boasts expertise under Phylicia Rashad, herself a Tony-winning force.
- Kara Young’s double Tony triumph is a highlight in what many are calling a new golden era for representation on Broadway.
At its core, Purpose offers a lens into Black identity, the weight of legacy, and what it really means to feel at home. It’s a play with sharp edges, deep heart, and a seat waiting for you among Broadway’s best.