Big Names and Big Moments in Broadway’s 'Purpose'
If you’ve kept even one ear turned toward Broadway this year, you’ve probably heard the buzz building around Purpose. The latest play to hit the boards at a fever pitch, it’s not just the story or the staging capturing attention — the cast is jammed with talent you don’t see together every season. At the helm is director Phylicia Rashad, a household name thanks to her stage and screen credits, running the show with a steady hand and a knack for making performances pop.
Front and center is LaTanya Richardson Jackson, nominated as Best Leading Actress. Audiences know her range — whether it’s gravitas, wit, or raw vulnerability, she delivers. Her presence lights up any room, and her role in Purpose proves why she’s been a force on and off Broadway for years. It helps that her biggest fan, real-life husband Samuel L. Jackson, was right there cheering her on at the 2025 Tony Awards. That kind of backing makes every red carpet moment a bit more electric.
The ensemble isn’t playing second fiddle. Jon Michael Hill, Glenn Davis, Harry Lennix, Alana Arenas, and Sojourner Brown fill out a cast that works seamlessly together, each bringing their own snap and spark to the mix. The play itself landed six Tony nominations, including the big one: Best Play. That level of recognition says as much about the team as it does about the writing and direction.
Kara Young Makes Tony History, Prepares for What’s Next
If there’s anyone grabbing headlines right alongside the production, it’s Kara Young. She’s just set a record as the first Black performer ever to score four Tony nominations in a row. The latest? Her sharp-tongued, scene-stealing turn as Aziza, the outspoken outsider who throws a wrench into a tense family gathering in Purpose. And it’s not just a token nod — after her 2024 Tony win for Purlie Victorious, Young’s peers know she’s the real deal.
Young doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. With Purpose wrapping, she’s already lined up her next role in The Whoopi Monologues, a fresh remix of Whoopi Goldberg’s legendary 1984 solo show. She’ll be sharing the stage with Kerry Washington, all under the direction of Whitney White. Audiences can mark their calendars for July 2026, when the show opens at Lincoln Center — this one’s not just for Broadway insiders, it’s a must-see moment that promises to shake things up all over again.
For now, Purpose keeps pulling in packed houses, reminding Broadway why star power and standout storytelling still get people talking. This blend of industry legends, new records, and brave new projects is the sort of thing that gives theater its heartbeat.
