The Guiding Principles

Purpose

What exactly does the word “purpose” mean? It can be said that it’s a long-term aim or guiding principle. It’s the impact that we want to have on the world. Having a purpose in life means having a sense of direction and meaning. It means knowing what you want to achieve and why it matters. Research has shown that people who have sense of purpose are happier, more resilient and more successful than those who don’t. It’s a person’s aim, end goal, intention or objective.

So why did Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, the highly respected, multi award-winning playwright, choose this word as the title for his latest comic drama? Well, the word succinctly sums up everything about which this play depicts and examines. Mr. Jacobs-Jenkins was the Obie 2014 recipient for his plays, APPROPRIATE and THE OCTOROON. His plays GLORIA  and EVERYBODY were finalists for 2016 and 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and he was named a MacArthur Fellow for 2016, also known as the “Genius Grant.” For a 39-year-old artist, these are some remarkable accolades. 

As in most of the playwright’s previous works, PURPOSE is fiercely intelligent, highly ambitious and boldly theatrical. Like his other plays, it beautifully entertains and makes us laugh and gasp, while still challenging theatergoers to think deeply about subjects like race, class and personal ambition, or purpose. Also like many of his plays, PURPOSE uses an historical lens to satirize and brashly comment on modern culture. Now this may all sound extremely scholarly or highbrow. But this new world premiere production, sensitively and smoothly directed by two-time Tony Award-winning director and actress, Phylicia Rashad, is clever, captivating and as comical as anything audiences have ever, or will ever, enjoy.

The play is chock full of surprises, secrets and shocking reveals with a new twist and turn taking place with every beat. So as not to spoil the future theatergoer’s delightful journey of discovery, suffice it to say that this is the story of the fictional Jasper family, an Upper Middle Class African-American clan. Think, perhaps, of the Reverend Jesse Jackson and his family. The Jasper name, in this play, has become synonymous with Black American Politics. The patriarch of the family, Solomon Jasper, Sr., was a well-known pastor and a pillar of the militant Civil Rights Movement. He and his socially conscious wife Claudine Jasper rubbed shoulders with all the greats in 20th century African-American history: Rosa Parks, Jesse Jackson, Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and many others. Their beautiful Chicago home displays photos and portraits of everyone they knew.

After Claudine’s invited the family back home for her belated birthday celebration, younger son Nazareth Jasper, known simply as “Naz,” arrives from Canada with his friend, Aziza Houston. Besides being a member of the family, Naz serves throughout as the story’s narrator and commentator. We meet him as the play begins, upon arriving home. He alternately breaks the fourth wall, talking directly to the audience and filling us in on all we need to know in order to understand everything that’s about to unfold. Then he jumps back into the story. Aziza has driven him home and is preparing to return to her apartment in New York. However, a rare late Spring snowstorm prevents her from leaving, and shortly we begin to learn more about this vivacious young woman. 

Then we meet Solomon and Claudine’s older son, Solomon Junior, who has arrived for the birthday fete. He’s made a name for himself as a Congressman, but as the story unfolds we find there’s much more to learn about Junior. He’s married to Morgan Jasper, who’s the mother of his two young sons. She’s intentionally left their children with her parents back in Washington. Something strange is going on between Morgan and Junior, and there’s a definite chill in the air between Claudine and her daughter-in-law. Soon, the birthday dinner brings everyone to the dining room table and that’s when the real fireworks begin.

The cast is phenomenal. Composed mainly of members of the Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble, such a talented cast, and so much power and passion, hasn’t been seen on the Steppenwolf stage since BALM IN GILEAD or AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. The company is led by Jon Michael Hill as Naz. He plays the quiet, truly likable younger son and the play’s storyteller. He’s the chronicler of what has and will happen. Hill will be remembered from the company’s excellent productions of TRUE WEST, CONSTELLATIONS and PASS OVER (which, like SUPERIOR DONUTS, he also starred in on Broadway). He’s also featured in the popular CBS series, “Elementary.” Jon is the glue that holds this story together; he’s both the first and last actor we encounter in this play and Naz is the character we leave the theatre remembering most.

Another truly talented actress is Ayanna Bria Bakari, who plays the warm and sociable Aziza. Recently seen in LAST NIGHT AND THE NIGHT BEFORE, Ms. Bakari has delighted audiences in such other notable Chicago productions as RELENTLESS and TOO HEAVY FOR YOUR POCKET at TimeLine, and AS YOU LIKE IT at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. She lights up the stage with her talent and infectious smile as Aziza Houston, the unexpected guest at Claudine’s birthday party. Her character becomes the theatergoer’s surrogate, registering our same surprise as she learns more and more about the Jasper family.

Steppenwolf’s Glenn Davis is superb as “Junior,” the Jasper’s eldest son. Not only a member of the theatre Ensemble, he’s an actor, producer and an Artistic Director at Steppenwolf. Remembered for his stunning performances in such shows as DOWNSTATE, THE CHRISTIANS, KING JAMES and DESCRIBE THE NIGHT, Mr. Davis is brilliant in this production. Without giving anything away, suffice it to say that Glenn Davis holds nothing back and leaves it all on the stage.

Lovely Steppenwolf Company Member Alana Arenas is the hurricane of talent who brings the character of Morgan Jasper to life. She’s incredible in her ability to command the stage and fills the production with powerfully explosive moments of hurt and revelations. The gifted actress will be remembered from so many fine Steppenwolf productions, such as THE CRUCIBLE, GOOD PEOPLE, BELLEVILLE, MARIE ANTOINETTE and MONSTER.

Playing Claudine, “Mama Jasper,” is Tamara Tunie. Making her Steppenwolf debut, this elegant and exquisite actress takes the stage with fury and a knowing smile. She grabs hold of every scene in which she appears and absolutely dominates the story. Put it this way: this is not the kind of mother you’d want to cross. Claudine issues her opinions as unquestionable facts and has the final word in every discussion or argument. Tamara’s brilliance has been enjoyed in such diverse roles as Calpurnia in JULIUS CAESAR, opposite Denzel Washington, and as Dorothy Brock in 42nd STREET. She brings all her talent and experience to Chicago in this starring role.

And finally, there’s guest actor Harry Lennix. This incredible performer rules the Steppenwolf stage as Solomon Jasper. As the not-to-be-questioned patriarch of this family, and a man with a long legacy of fighting for Civil Rights, Mr. Lennix is, in a word, magnificent. In his final scene, the audience is given a glimpse into the real Solomon Jasper as he talks about why, as a retired pastor, he enjoys keeping bees. He’s been seen on Broadway in RADIO GOLF, Off-Broadway in TITUS ANDRONICUS, and in Chicago in such plays as A RAISIN IN THE SUN, OTHELLO and MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM. Mr. Lennix will be playing Solomon Jasper only through April 17, when Cedric Young (MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS) will step into the role.

Technically this production is also a masterpiece. Todd Rosenthal’s beautifully detailed scenic design is jaw-dropping. From floor to ceiling, from the front porch to the dining room, he has created a totally realistic home for an affluent family. Enhanced by Amith Chandrashaker’s lovely and detailed lighting, Rob Milburn & Michael Bodeen’s sound design and Dede Ayite’s gorgeous contemporary costumes, the world of the Jaspers is everything you’d imagine.

Gifted playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins has got to be pleased with Steppenwolf’s ebullient premiere production. Director Phylicia Rashad brings out the very best in her cast of six talented actors, and she always keeps the audience’s focus where it belongs. Her staging of the turbulent dining room scene that closes Act I is something that theatergoers will never forget. Like his previous plays, PURPOSE is destined for Broadway and beyond. It speaks to everyone’s intentions and guiding principles in life and what achieving these end goals and objectives can entail.      

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 14-April 28 by Steppenwolf Theatre Co., 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling audience services at 312-335-1650 or by going to www.steppenwolf.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by going to www.theatreinchicago.com.