Another reason to head to Broadway!
Legendary actress and director Phylicia Rashad is bringing her visionary talents to Broadway in a powerful new way. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she recently made her Broadway directing debut with Purpose, a new play written by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award-winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.
This marks Jacobs-Jenkins’ much-anticipated return to Broadway after the massive success of Appropriate, a gripping family drama that earned him the 2024 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. Now, he’s turning the page with Purpose—a poignant and layered story that dives deep into the complexities of legacy, politics, and faith within a powerful Black American family.
Purpose centers around the Jasper family, a dynasty deeply rooted in Black political life. But when the family’s youngest son, Nazareth, arrives home with an uninvited guest, tensions rise and long-buried truths surface. The story unfolds as the family navigates generational pressure, spiritual convictions, and the delicate cracks beneath their polished public image.
Rashad first directed Purpose during its world premiere at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre in March 2024, where it received glowing reviews. Audiences and critics alike compared the characters to the iconic Jesse Jackson family, and the show became one of Steppenwolf’s highest-grossing productions in its nearly 50-year history.
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Now, that acclaimed production has headed to Broadway. Previews for Purpose began February 25, 2025, at the Helen Hayes Theater, with an official opening taking place on March 17th. The production team is stacked with heavy-hitting creatives, including scenic designer Todd Rosenthal, costume designer Dede M. Ayite, lighting by Amith Chandrashaker, and sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen. Behind the scenes, the play is being produced by a powerhouse team: David Stone, Debra Martin Chase, Marc Platt, LaChanze, Rashad Chambers, Aaron Glick, and Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
For Rashad, this moment is monumental—but not surprising. A two-time Tony Award winner for her unforgettable performances in A Raisin in the Sun and Skeleton Crew, Rashad has long proven herself as a commanding force on stage. She also carries a strong directorial resume, having led productions of Our Lady of 121st Street, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. And beyond the stage, she has served as dean emerita of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University, continuing her legacy of nurturing Black artistry.
With Purpose, Phylicia Rashad is once again blazing trails—this time behind the scenes—and helping elevate a new era of Black storytelling on Broadway.
Cover photo: Phylicia Rashad Makes Broadway Directorial Debut with Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ New Play, ‘Purpose’/Photo credit: Heather Gershonowitz/Playbill