Exploring ‘Purpose’: A Complex Portrait of a Black American Family
Overview of ‘Purpose’
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins presents his newest work, Purpose, at the Helen Hayes Theater, where it opened recently. This production, which originated at the Steppenwolf Theater Company in Chicago, intricately weaves humor with serious themes, delving into the hypocrisy within a prominent African American family with deep social and political ties.
The Jasper Family Dynamics
At the center of the narrative is the Jasper family, closely paralleling the Jesse Jackson legacy. Headed by Solomon Jasper, portrayed by Harry Lennix, the family grapples with its history and the expectations placed upon them. Solomon, now in his late seventies, retains a commanding presence despite stepping away from public life. His wife, Claudine, played by LaTanya Richardson Jackson, is depicted as a formidable figure—a nurturing matriarch with a law degree who uses her influence to maintain family ties and control the narrative within the household.
Characters and Their Struggles
Solomon’s elder son, Junior (Glenn Davis), has strayed from the family’s virtuous path, facing the consequences of his embezzlement conviction as a state senator. His relationship with his wife, Morgan (Alana Arenas), is strained, particularly after she bears the burden of false tax returns that led to her disbarment. As they navigate their tumultuous backdrop, Junior’s recent diagnosis of bipolar disorder adds another layer of complexity.
The family’s dynamics are exacerbated by the arrival of their younger son, Nazareth (Jon Michael Hill), a once-promising divinity student who has chosen a life as a nature photographer. While Naz rejects the legacy imposed upon him, he confronts his family’s misunderstandings of his identity, including hints of autism and asexuality, which the family struggles to accept.
Events Leading to Conflict
Compounding the family’s existing tensions is a mandatory homecoming dinner celebrating Junior’s release from prison. The dinner scene serves as a crucial moment of convergence, highlighting their interpersonal conflicts and family secrets. Naz’s friend, Aziza (Kara Young), adds an additional layer of chaos with hints of a possible pregnancy, further complicating the evening.
Plot Structure and Themes
While the first act features sharp humor reminiscent of a sitcom, the narrative takes a turn as the second act delves into deeper conflicts. Claudine’s efforts to assert control over her family and manipulate circumstances reveal underlying tensions that threaten to unravel their relationships. The play oscillates between wit and gravity, reflecting the struggles of maintaining familial bonds in the face of personal and collective challenges.
Conclusion: A Search for Identity
Jacobs-Jenkins’s portrayal of the Jasper family raises questions about legacy, identity, and the search for personal purpose in the shadow of esteemed familial expectations. Naz emerges as a figure of self-definition, seeking a path distinct from that of his father. The play ultimately poses the question: what does it mean to find one’s purpose amid established ideals and the weight of history?
Purpose runs until July 6 at the Helen Hayes Theater in Manhattan. For more information, visit 2st.com. The performance lasts approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes.
