Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Purpose, Directed by Phylicia Rashad, Sets Aside Family Drama to Celebrate a Broadway Opening
by Broadway.com Staff • Mar 18, 2025
Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and director Phylicia Rashad at the opening night of "Purpose"
(Photo by Sergio Villarini for Broadway.com)
(Photo by Sergio Villarini for Broadway.com)
Purpose, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' family drama centered around a laugh-out-loud dinner from hell, opened at Second Stage's Hayes Theater on March 17.
Directed by Phylicia Rashad, the cast features Harry Lennix and Tony Award nominee LaTanya Richardson Jackson as the heads of the influential Jasper family, Jon Michael Hill and Glenn Davis as their disappointing children, Alana Arenas as a now-regretful Jasper by marriage and Tony Award winner Kara Young as an unsuspecting house guest.
The ensemble celebrated their Broadway opening in style, with some starry VIPs from Queen Latifah to Spike Lee snapping photos at the theater. Take a look at highlights and a full gallery below.
(Photo by Sergio Villarini for Broadway.com)
(Photo by Sergio Villarini for Broadway.com)
(Photo by Sergio Villarini for Broadway.com)
(Photo by Sergio Villarini for Broadway.com)
