In 'Purpose,' Branden Jacobs-Jenkins crafts a rich, dramatic narrative centered around the Jasper family, depicted against a striking Chicago mansion set. The characters, especially the son Nazareth, navigate complex familial conflicts layered with themes of wealth and legacy. As they confront harsh realities, the play examines the intersections of personal and political life, highlighted by Solomon's character, an echo of historical civil rights leaders. The set's design contributes to the comic yet intense atmosphere, promising an engaging experience with deep emotional undertones and societal reflection.
"The expectations of genre may at once signify an imposing edifice that a playwright might stretch themselves to fulfill and a familiar model to retreat to for comfort."
"Jacobs-Jenkins is indulging your voyeurism too: Solomon is an amalgam of various civil-rights figures, but most clearly Reverend Jesse Jackson."
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