A Hilarious yet Haunting Exploration of Family and Legacy in "Purpose"
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s latest Broadway production, Purpose, which opened at the Helen Hayes Theater, is a masterful blend of humor and gravity. The play, directed by Phylicia Rashad, delves into the complexities of the Jasper family, a fictionalized version of the Jesse Jackson dynasty, offering both a critique of their hypocrisy and a tribute to their resilience. The first act is a riotous, well-crafted sitcom-esque narrative that keeps the audience in stitches, but the second act falters, struggling to maintain its momentum and conviction.
The Jaspers: A Family Torn Between Legacy and Dysfunction
At the heart of Purpose is the Jasper family, a Chicago-based clan led by the aging Pastor Solomon Jasper, who once worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Now in his 70s, Solomon has retreated from the public eye, reserving his fiery oratory skills for his family. His wife, Claudine, is the family’s formidable matriarch, whose sharp wit and legal background allow her to navigate the family’s intricate dynamics with precision. Their sons, Junior and Nazareth, are the focal points of Solomon’s disappointment. Junior, the elder son, has tarnished the family’s political legacy with a conviction for embezzlement, while Nazareth, the younger son, has abandoned his theological studies to pursue a career in nature photography, much to the family’s dismay.
A Web of Secrets and Scandals
The play’s narrative is rich with secrets and scandals, each layer adding to the family’s dysfunction. Junior’s wife, Morgan, is embittered by her forced complicity in her husband’s financial misdeeds, which has led to her disbarment. She seeks a divorce, but Claudine is determined to keep the family intact, even if it means resorting to manipulative tactics. Meanwhile, Nazareth’s return home with his friend Aziza, who may be pregnant with his child, introduces further tension. The family’s denial of Nazareth’s autism and asexuality adds another layer of complexity, highlighting their refusal to accept his true self.
The Dinner Table: A Catalyst for Chaos
The play’s pivotal moment occurs during a mandatory homecoming dinner for Junior, a setting that forces the family into prolonged proximity. This scenario, while comedic, also serves as a catalyst for the unraveling of their carefully constructed facade. The dinner table becomes a battleground where old wounds are reopened, and new conflicts emerge. Claudine’s manipulative tactics, Junior’s schemes to redeem his reputation, and Morgan’s eventual outburst all contribute to the chaos. Even the presence of Dr. King’s portrait seems to mock the family’s hypocrisy, as they struggle to live up to the ideals he represents.
A Faltering Second Act and the Struggle for Redemption
Despite its strong start, Purpose falters in its second act, where the tone shifts from sharp comedy to heavy drama, a transition that feels disjointed. Solomon’s behavior becomes increasingly abominable, making his attempted redemption unconvincing. The play’s conclusion, which sees the family quietly returning to their lives without significant resolution, feels anticlimactic. This contrasts sharply with Jacobs-Jenkins’s previous work, Appropriate, which offered a more satisfying, albeit darker, resolution.
Nazareth: The Play’s Most Compelling Character
Amidst the chaos, Nazareth emerges as the play’s most original and moving character. His journey from a theological student to a nature photographer, seeking self-definition and considering fatherhood, offers a poignant counterpoint to the family’s political legacy. His story, intertwined with themes of identity and purpose, suggests that the play’s true focus may not be on the family’s political aspirations but on the individual’s quest for self-discovery. Jacobs-Jenkins’s own experiences as a new parent add depth to Nazareth’s character, making his journey resonate deeply with the audience.
A Privileged Glimpse into the Lives of Leaders
Purpose offers a privileged glimpse into the secret lives of a prominent family, confirming our worst suspicions about the hypocrisy and dysfunction that can lie beneath the surface of power. While the play’s second act struggles to maintain its momentum, the richness of its material and the strength of its performances make it a compelling, if flawed, exploration of family, legacy, and identity. As the audience leaves the theater, they are left pondering not just the Jaspers’ story but the universal struggle to find one’s purpose in the shadow of greatness.
