Cast of Tony-Nominated Play 'Purpose' Discuss Family Drama Themes

A Tony-Nominated Family Drama

• 🎭 The cast of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' play "Purpose," nominated for six Tony Awards, reflects on the family drama's themes.
• 💡 The play is described as a family drama about a political religious family in Chicago, with an unexpected amount of humor.
• ✨ The writing is lauded for its ability to find irreverence, deliver profound moments, and deliver a "sucker punch to the spirit" within the same line.

The Role of the Narrator

• 🗣️ John Michael Hill plays Nazareth Jasper, the narrator, who speaks to the audience and also steps into the action.
• 🌲 Nazareth is characterized as a solitary, introverted character living in the woods who gets pulled into the family's drama.
• 🏋️ He carries heavy burdens placed upon him by other characters, requiring him to find inner strength to help.

The Play's Development and Impact

• ✍️ The play underwent significant development during rehearsals, growing from about 40 pages to over 100.
• 🎢 This iterative process is compared to a thrilling, sometimes scary, roller coaster ride for the actors and creative team.
• ⏳ The play explores an epic journey through the history of a family, with consequences of actions spanning 30-50 years unfolding in real-time.

Ensemble and Performances

• 🌟 The ensemble cast is highlighted for its cohesive nature and interdependence on stage, creating something very special.
• 🏆 Specific actors are praised for their powerful performances, including Harry Lennox, John Michael Hill, Alana Arenas, Lata Richardson Jackson, and Cara Young.
• 🤯 The play is designed to be unpredictable, constantly surprising the audience and even the actors with its twists and turns.