NewsLos Angeles Times — EntertainmentNovember 10, 2026Los Angeles County
Geffen Playhouse hosts Los Angeles premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' play 'Purpose' with original Broadway cast
Photo: Los Angeles Times — Entertainment
Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Tony-winning drama 'Purpose' is making its Los Angeles premiere at the Geffen Playhouse, running from Wednesday through Dec. 20 with its original Broadway and Steppenwolf Theatre Company cast and creative team.
Read the full story at Los Angeles Times — EntertainmentWhy It Matters
Los Angeles theatergoers gain access to a major award-winning Broadway production featuring its original Tony-winning and Tony-nominated actors and director during its limited run through Dec. 20.
Key Facts
- Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' play 'Purpose' is making its Los Angeles premiere at the Geffen Playhouse.
- The production runs from Wednesday through Dec. 20.
- The production features the original Broadway and Steppenwolf Theatre Company cast and creative team.
- Phylicia Rashad serves as the director of the production.
- Kara Young reprises her Tony-winning role as Aziza, a social worker in the play.
- The play is set during a snow day in the Chicago home of a prominent civil rights leader named Solomon Jasper.
- The narrative is inspired by prominent political families, most notably that of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson.
- The play was commissioned by Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
- Jacobs-Jenkins recently announced his next play, 'Grass,' starring Daniel Kaluuya at the Park Avenue Armory in February.
Who's Mentioned
PersonHarry Lennix“Actor portraying Solomon Jasper”PersonJesse Jackson“Civil rights icon who inspired the play's central family”PersonLaTanya Richardson Jackson“Actor portraying Claudine”OrganizationPark Avenue Armory“Venue for the upcoming production of 'Grass'”PersonJon Michael Hill“Actor portraying Naz”PersonBranden Jacobs-Jenkins“Playwright of 'Appropriate' and 'Purpose'”PersonGlenn Davis“Actor portraying Solomon Jr.”OrganizationSteppenwolf Theatre Company“Chicago theater company that commissioned the play”OrganizationGeffen Playhouse“Venue hosting the Los Angeles premiere of 'Purpose'”PersonAlana Arenas“Actor portraying Morgan”PersonDaniel Kaluuya“Actor starring in Jacobs-Jenkins' upcoming play 'Grass'”PersonPhylicia Rashad“Director of 'Purpose'”PersonKara Young“Tony-winning actor portraying Aziza”PersonArthur Miller“Playwright whose work inspired Jacobs-Jenkins”OrganizationCenter Theatre Group“Theater organization partnering on productions”