Purpose

The Ensemble Theatre is running Purpose through October 11, the regional premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play. It's directed by Eileen J. Morris, and if you've been following the theatre's season, this is one of the bigger titles they've brought to the stage this year.

The play centers on the Jasper family, an influential Chicago clan whose public image is a lot more refined than their private lives. Things start to unravel when the patriarch, Solomon Jasper, returns home with an unexpected guest. From there, the family balance breaks down into a mix of reunion, ideological conflict, and emotional destruction, and long-held secrets finally surface. It's described as a drama rich with humor, heart, and insight, so it's not just a heavy family fight—there's a good bit of wit woven into the tension.

There's also a bit of history behind this production. Staging Purpose marks the 50th anniversary of the season at The Ensemble Theatre, which is the largest African-American professional theatre company in the U.S. that produces in-house and owns its own facility. It started as a touring company back in 1976, founded by the late George Hawkins, and has since grown into a non-profit that houses three stages on Main Street in the heart of midtown Houston—with a METRORail stop named in its honor. This production is part of that ongoing legacy.

On the practical side, the show is rated PG-13. If you're looking for an ASL-interpreted performance, those were on Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3, so the remaining dates are standard. The run goes through October 11, with the theatre located on Main Street in midtown.