Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company has revealed casting for their upcoming world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Purpose, playing their Downstairs Theater March 14-April 21, 2024. Opening night is March 24.
Harry Lennix (The Blacklist) and Tamara Tunie (Law & Order: SVU) will lead the cast as Solomon "Sonny" Jasper and Claudine Jasper, respectively, with Alana Arenas (David Makes Man) as Morgan Jasper, Glenn Davis (King James) as Solomon "Junior" Jasper Jr., Jon Michael Hill (Elementary) as Nazareth "Naz" Jasper, and Ayanna Bria Bakari (Last Night and the Night Before) as Angela Houston. Casting is by JC Clementz.
As previously announced, Phylicia Rashad will direct the new work, which tracks the Jasper family, a pillar of Black American politics that's forced into a reckoning when the youngest son returns home with an uninvited friend.
“I am simply honored to welcome Harry and Tamara as they make their Steppenwolf debuts in Purpose,” says Steppenwolf Artistic Director Glenn Davis in a statement. “Harry—born and raised in Chicago and a Northwestern alum—has been a lifelong mentor of mine, so appearing onstage with him is both thrilling and humbling. Meanwhile I’ve known Tamara and have been a big fan of her work for years and have nothing but admiration for her career across film, TV, and theatre. I know they both will feel right at home at Steppenwolf, and we look forward to sharing their immense talents with Chicago audiences.”
The production will feature scenic design by Todd Rosenthal, costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Amith Chandrashaker, and sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen. Patrick Zakem is serving as creative producer, and Tom Pearl as producing director. Laura D. Glenn will be production stage manager and Jaclynn Joslin assistant stage manager.
A two-time Pulitzer finalist, Jacobs-Jenkins' works include The Comeuppance, Girls, Everybody, War, Gloria, An Octoroon, and Neighbors. He's currently making his Broadway debut with Appropriate via Second Stage.
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