Arts & Entertainment
Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Wins Best Play at Tony Awards With ‘Purpose’
The cast of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ “Purpose” in the Broadway production. (Marc J. Franklin)
A production that originated at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company took home two Tony Awards Sunday night.
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ “Purpose” won best play, and Kara Young took home the award for best performance by an actress in a featured role for the production that first opened in Chicago in 2024. The play moved to Broadway and is running in New York through Aug. 31, 2025.
“My fellow Artistic Director Audrey Francis, Executive Director Brooke Flanagan and I dedicate this award to Steppenwolf’s leadership, staff, board and especially our ensemble,” cast member and Steppenwolf’s Artistic Director Glenn Davis said during his acceptance speech. “They are, without question some of the greatest artists in the country — risk takers and innovators who have launched some of the boldest new plays in the American theatrical canon.”
The play, which was directed by Phylicia Rashad, was commissioned by Steppenwolf and became one of the theater company’s highest grossing shows.
The plot of the play also has Chicago connections.
“Purpose” tells the story of the Jasper family, a legendary Chicago political dynasty that includes civil rights leaders and congressmen. Some reviews of the play have drawn a direct connection to the Rev. Jesse Jackson and his family.
Jacobs-Jenkins was also awarded the Pulitzer Prize for the play.
WTTW News spoke with the creative team behind the play in March 2024 near its Steppenwolf premiere.
Video: WTTW News spoke with the creative team behind “Purpose” in March 2024.
“When I read this draft, which was the first act, I said, OK! Yeah, I want to do this because it wasn’t finished because there was so much about it that was unknown, yes. But I like the way he writes,” Rashad said. “I like the way he incorporates knowledge about so many different things within the context of a conversation that an actor is having with the audience or that actors or characters are in engaged in.”
Jacobs-Jenkins relied on his work with the actors in Chicago to finish the script, which was a work in progress.
“You know, I was invited by one of the premier acting ensembles of this country to make a play, and it would be ridiculous for me to come in here with a prebaked, easy-bake dinner meal for them to reheat …,” he said in 2024. “So for me, the truest form of playmaking is a deep collaboration with actors, right? And that means that you kind of find the story together. And I feel like my, my responsibility is to build the game board, you know, but they’re the players for a reason and it’s called play for a reason”
Steppenwolf, which was founded in 1976, has been awarded 12 Tony Awards over the years.
Brandis Friedman contributed.
