Ayanna Bria Bakari

Review: BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY at Seattle Rep
by Jay Irwin - Feb 13, 2025

Dear Readers, I’m all for a slice of life play showing the inequities in class, race, gender, etc. in the past and spotlighting how far we have not come. Such a play is Pearl Cleage’s “Blues for an Alabama Sky”, currently playing at the Seattle Rep. It’s not a new play; in fact it’s about 30 years old. But it still packs in some resonance. What it fails to pack in completely is much of an arc or ending for its characters.

The Story Theatre to Present AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN at Raven Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 28, 2025

The Story Theatre will kick off Season V with a reimagined production of At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen by Governing Ensemble member and Joseph Jefferson Award-winning playwright Terry Guest. Learn more.

Photos: First Look At THE LOVE OBJECT At The Story Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 14, 2024

The Story Theatre will welcome back audiences with its world premiere of the love object by Emerging Playwright-in-Residence Justine Gelfman, directed by Northwestern MFA Directing alum Jasmine B. Gunter. See the first photos from the production.

The Story Theatre Presents THE LOVE OBJECT This October
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 12, 2024

THE Story Theatre announced the world premiere of THE LOVE OBJECT, running from October 10 to November 3, 2024, at Raven Theatre’s Schwartz Stage.

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE, Directed by Phylicia Rashad, Will Arrive On Broadway in 2025
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 14, 2024

BroadwayWorld has just learned that the acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre Company production of Purpose, written by Tony Award-winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, and directed by Two-time Tony Award-winner Phylicia Rashad, will come to Broadway in spring 2025. We have all of the details!

CT Critics Circle Awards Top Honors A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE and SUMMER STOCK at 32nd Annual Ceremony
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 14, 2024

An innovative production of Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge at Long Wharf Theatre and a high-spirited, buoyant production of Summer Stock at Goodspeed Musicals took top honors at the 32nd annual Connecticut Critics Circle Awards (ctcritics.org) held on Monday, June 24.

Review: THE COLORED MUSEUM at Studio Theatre
by Roger Catlin - Jul 11, 2024

It’s hard to imagine the impact George C. Wolfe’s razor-sharp satire “The Colored Museum” must have had when it opened in New York nearly 40 years ago. 

Connecticut Critics Circle Awards Revealed
by Stephi Wild - Jun 26, 2024

An innovative production of Arthur Miller’s “A View From the Bridge” at Long Wharf Theatre and a high-spirited, buoyant production of “Summer Stock” at Goodspeed Musicals took top honors at the 32nd annual Connecticut Critics Circle Awards held on Monday, June 24.

Cast Set For THE COLORED MUSEUM At Studio Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jun 5, 2024

The debut of Studio Theatre's innovative new revival of George C. Wolfe's classic play The Colored Museum, including some returning stars from Studio's blockbuster production of Fat Ham earlier this season, will begin rehearsals soon.

Steppenwolf Theatre's PURPOSE Extends Through Mid May
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 4, 2024

Steppenwolf Theatre Company will present two additional weeks of performances for its world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ epic family drama Purpose. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Video: Get a First Look at Steppenwolf Theatre's PURPOSE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 1, 2024

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is continuing its 48th season with the world premiere of Purpose. Check out footage!

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of PURPOSE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 27, 2024

Check out photos from opening night of Purpose at Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Photos: First Look at Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE at Steppenwolf
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 25, 2024

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is continuing its 48th season with the world premiere of Purpose, an epic family drama by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Get a first look at photos.

Review: PURPOSE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
by Rachel Weinberg - Mar 25, 2024

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins has set the table for one hell of a family dinner in PURPOSE. Directed by Phylicia Rashad in a world premiere for Steppenwolf, this family drama keenly focuses on the privileged Jasper family, whose patriarch is a Civil Rights icon. The first act moves at a brilliant clip with lots of darkly funny moments during a contentious family drama, then unspools into a more serious and somber contemplation of the skeletons in the family’s closet in the second. 

Video: First Look at Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Phylicia Rashad-Directed PURPOSE
by Joshua Wright - Mar 21, 2024

Get a first look at Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world premiere of Purpose, an epic family drama by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad. Check out the video!

Video: Watch a Trailer for Steppenwolf's PURPOSE, Directed by Phylicia Rashad
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 10, 2024

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has released a trailer for their production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE. Watch video footage here!

Steppenwolf Theatre's PURPOSE World Premiere Extends Through Late April
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 7, 2024

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ epic family drama Purpose has added one additional week of performances. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: First Look at Steppenwolf Theatre Company's PURPOSE in Rehearsal
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 2, 2024

Check out rehearsal photos for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world premiere of Purpose, an epic family drama by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, here!

Photos: Phylicia Rashad Directs the World Premiere of PURPOSE By Branden Jacobs- Jenkins At Steppenwolf Theatre Company
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 21, 2024

Steppenwolf Theatre Company will continue its 48th season with the world premiere of Purpose, an epic family drama by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad. See photos of the company! Purpose will play March 14 – April 21, 2024 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater.

Video: Glenn Davis on PURPOSE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
by Joshua Wright - Feb 8, 2024

Watch as Steppenwolf Artistic Director Glenn Davis talks about bringing Purpose to Steppenwolf. 'That's what Steppenwolf does best!' Davis can’t say enough about the world premiere of PURPOSE and the incredible lineup of artists assembling to create this incendiary theatrical event.