PURPOSE Previews

I'm going this Saturday. If anyone sees the play earlier this week, please do share some feedback!

I saw it at Steppenwolf and absolutely loved it. I'm seeing Thursday night's preview and I'm so looking forward to revisiting it.

Can anyone comment on whether there is molestation/child sex abuse? I avoid these shows because I’m a survivor and the description made me wonder… thanks in advance.

Criterion Ticketing says 3-hour runtime, including an intermission.

Anyone who was there tonight, how was the show?

BJJ does not miss.

At the 2nd preview tonight and sure the show could use some tightening up, but it’s still a firecracker of a play. The show’s exposition is a bit too long and has about 4 endings… but the dinner scene in Act 1 is one of the best I’ve seen in years. Once Kara Young shows up the show really takes off (of course, she continues to be one of the funniest young actors in New York). A lot to chew on here as well, about family obligations and growth (or not), and about what we are willing to acknowledge vs what we don’t want to see. I probably related most to the themes of politics within families — when to be quiet when it’s advantageous vs when to speak up, or when people serve a use to you vs when it’s good to be good and honest in itself.

I don’t think it’s quite at Appropriate levels of good but it’s still a great play.

Updated On: 2/27/25 at 11:53 PM

I was center mezz which was great. The Hayes is such an intimate theater but wow leg room is rough. Some of the portraits on the top floor of the set were cut off where I was but I don’t recall any actual acting happening up there so nothing was missed.

suzycat said: "Any discounts for this? It’s up on TDF but not for the date I need. Thx!"



TodayTix has the theater sale going on and you can get really great orchestra seats for $79 (including fees). There are also discount codes TRUTH and FAMILY but they aren't as good as TodayTix discounts at the moment.

I also saw it last night. Act One is terrific, Act Two does indeed meander (more so here in NY than it did in Chicago) but I think the play ends beautifully. As the narration all comes from one character, whose memory of this weekend the play is, I had no problem with it at all. I do agree that the play should and could be shorter. Whether through pacing or editing, I hope Act Two is tightened up.

Overall, though, it seemed in great shape for a fourth preview.

I agree the narration slows the play down. I think symbolically it creates a sense of isolation for the main character, tho, that feels like an essential part of the theme of the show. He's not IN the story. Just like he's not IN the family, really.

I don't think that means its necessary... but I think it's an interesting thing to grapple with.

Yeah like I said when I posted, I think there’s tightening up that will happen. We’re still in the first week of performances, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they were able to shave off a full 10 minutes in the next few weeks. The end definitely drags and the narration piece needs some work, especially at the beginning which feels like a big info dump. But when the show is in motion, it’s REALLY great.

Updated On: 2/28/25 at 01:00 PM

an excellent play. nothing groundbreaking here, but it flies by for 3 full hours, and whereas Appropriate turned on a star performance, this is much more of an ensemble piece with competing sympathies and perspectives. Steam dissipates a bit in Act 2, which gets predictable and then silly for a bit, but Act 1 Is really a sublime 90 minutes plot/performance wise. The last scene is again way too long, but the last few lines were very moving. Overall really well done.

that said, theres a good 20 minutes to cut here. I didnt like the narration in Liberation but it was not intrusive at all compared to whats happening here. There are more than a few monologues, but worse, there are mid-scene asides to the audience that are sometimes funny but always pointless. Jenkins is clearly a generational talent but I can't fathom what is gained from the narration here--let the story unfold.

The other issue with the narration is that its all coming from the main character- who has lots to say as a narrator but whose character is a bit of a hole at the middle of the play. His passivity, his lack of firm perspective or voice is more pronounced because he dips out of that role and into talkative narrator on/off.

That is no slight to Jon Michael Hill who I hope gets Tony nominated for a beast of a role. The words flow out of him naturally, and while the narrative monologues got irritating, they felt conversational and beautifully delivered. I was also blown away by Henry Lennix who I must have seen in 1000 tv shows here and there but have never seen given such a central meaty character to run with. Kudos.

Kara Young is doing great work as Kara Young, but as far as Outsider Character I thought Alana Arenas got more mileage out of the quips and frustration. I will say that LaTonya Richardson Jackson felt a bit unsure of herself at times, which is somewhat fatal to that role. There were a few scenes in the second act where I think she just lost her lines, so maybe this will get better with time.

We were extreme right of the very front mezz in seats not marked as partial view but could not see any of the entrances/exits to the family home. Surprised just because the Hayes is usually problem-free seating wise.