Excitement was in the air at the Hayes Theatre on Broadway June 10 as Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Purpose played its first performance after being named the Tony-winning Best Play of the season.

See the company take their curtain call—joined by their Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright—to an especially enthusiastic audience of supporters at the first post-Tonys performance below.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play began previews February 25 and opened March 17, with Phylicia Rashad at the helm. The work was originally scheduled to conclude July 6, but the extended run is now set to continue through August 31.

The play emerged from the June 8 Tony Awards with two wins, with Kara Young winning her second Tony (in two years!) for her featured performance in addition to the Best Play win.

Get your own copy of the official opening night Purpose Playbill at The Playbill Store.

The ensemble cast includes now two–time Tony winner Young (Purlie Victorious) as Aziza Houston, LaTanya Richardson Jackson as Claudine Jasper, Harry Lennix as Solomon "Sonny" Jasper, Jon Michael Hill as Nazareth "Naz" Jasper, Glenn Davis as Solomon "Junior" Jasper, and Alana Arenas as Morgan Jasper. Understudies Petronia Paley, Esau Pritchett, Chris Myers, and Sojourner Brown round out the company. Casting is by Calleri Jensen Davis with original casting by JC Clementz.

The work follows an Illinois family of civil rights leaders, pastors, and congressmen—pillars of Black American politics—with secrets lying just beneath the surface. The youngest son Nazareth returns home with an uninvited friend that ultimately forces the family to reckon with itself, their faith, and the legacies of Black radicalism.

Rashad is reprising her work at the production's helm after staging the Chicago world premiere, and has reassembled her creative team for the Broadway bow. Scenic design is by Todd Rosenthal, with costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Amith Chandrashaker, and sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen. Hair and wig design are by Tony honoree Nikiya Mathis, and Tiffany N. Robinson serves as production stage manager with general management by 321 Theatrical Management.

Visit PurposeOnBroadway.com.

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Photos: Purpose on Broadway

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