Phylicia Rashad will direct a world premiere play at the Steppenwolf Theater next season, the theater announced on Wednesday.
The two-time Tony Award winner will direct Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ “Purpose,” which is scheduled to star alongside Steppenwolf community members Alana Arenas, Glenn Davis and Jon Michael Hill. The play, which is about an Illinois family at the center of black American politics, is scheduled to be played on the main stage between March 14 and April 21, 2024.
Steppenwolf also announced that Jess McLeod, who is the resident director of “Hamilton” in Chicago, will direct the Chicago premiere of Larissa FastHorse’s “The Thanksgiving Play.” The comedy, featuring ensemble members Audrey Francis and Tim Hopper, will be screened at the Ensemble Theater from April 25 to June 2, 2024.
dgeorge@chicagotribune.com