The La Jolla Playhouse is bringing the West Coast premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play 'Purpose' to the stage, and it's a thought-provoking and powerful addition to their lineup. This production delves into the complex dynamics of the Black American family, exploring themes of identity, legacy, and the struggle for purpose. The play, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, is a gripping narrative that unfolds over a snowy weekend in the Chicago home of the Jasper family. At the heart of the story is the crisis of purpose that plagues the characters, particularly the sons Junior and Nazareth (Naz).
The play's director, Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, brings a unique perspective to the production. She highlights the intimate storytelling aspect, where the family's image is contrasted with their individual truths. Turner Sonnenberg's own background in Atlanta, a city deeply rooted in the Civil Rights Movement, adds a layer of personal connection to the story. She shares, 'My childhood elementary school field trip was to the MLK Memorial. My grandmother was like 'I went to jail with Martin Luther King.' This idea of being in close proximity to the generation that marched, that fought, that went to jail as my grandmother did protesting for equal rights, resonates personally with me.'
The cast of 'Purpose' is a talented ensemble, with Matthew Elijah Webb taking on the role of Naz. Webb finds a striking similarity between the character and himself, especially in their queer identities and the influence of religious and cultural expectations on their relationships. He notes, 'He’s a queer person. So am I. He grew up in a very faith-forward household that has specific ideas about what it is to be a man, what is necessary of a man, especially as it pertains to relationships.'
The play's narrative device of Naz breaking the fourth wall is particularly intriguing. Webb explains, 'Naz is really the shepherd of this story. He brings the audience along. He needs them to understand as he is trying to understand what is happening on this weekend.' This technique adds a layer of engagement and intimacy to the audience's experience.
The play's humor and lightness, despite its serious themes, are notable. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' writing style is praised for its ability to make ordinary circumstances feel extraordinary. Turner Sonnenberg describes it as 'outrageously funny, not for the characters but for us, the audience, and it’s deeply moving. There are real stakes and real loss. The writing is just exquisite. It’s a world that has a little bit of pain in it. It is beautiful and painful.'
The La Jolla Playhouse production features a talented cast, including Cornell Womack, Stephanie Berry, Sean Boyce Johnson, Crystal Dickinson, and Andréa Agosto. The play's exploration of the 'crisis of purpose' is a powerful commentary on the struggles faced by individuals within the Black American community, and it invites audiences to reflect on their own journeys of self-discovery and purpose.
