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Welcome to Tony Talk, where Gold Derby contributors David Buchanan and Sam Eckmann delve into the world of the Tony Awards. This week, we explore one of Broadway’s freshest additions, Purpose.
Sam Eckmann: Now that we’ve experienced Purpose, the latest work from Tony-winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, it’s time to evaluate its standing in the upcoming Tony race. The play centers on the tumultuous evening of the influential Jasper family, who find themselves snowed in during a birthday party. This production also brings the Broadway directorial debut of Phylicia Rashad. After clinching the Best Revival of a Play award for Appropriate last year, do you think Jacobs-Jenkins is poised for another Best Play victory?
David Buchanan: It’s certainly within the realm of possibility for Purpose to take home the Best Play award this year, despite currently ranking lower in our predictions. Since the summer, we’ve recognized Cole Escola‘s popular comedy Oh, Mary! as a potential frontrunner for Tony nominations. However, the comedic nature of Oh, Mary! leaves space for a more serious contender to emerge and create a thrilling competition. Purpose offers a balance of humor—my audience was in stitches—while also delivering dramatic stakes, unexpected twists, and intellectual depth. What do you think its chances are against the other Best Play nominees?
Sam Eckmann: While Oh, Mary! remains my top pick, I’ve elevated Purpose to the second spot in my Best Play predictions due to its shared hallmark with Escola’s hit: a captivated audience. There’s something inherently compelling about a classic family drama that resonates with theatergoers—and likely Tony voters—as well. My audience was visibly engaged throughout the entire three-hour experience, with laughter, gasps, and excitement accompanying each revelation. Moreover, Jacobs-Jenkins is riding a wave of acclaim, having made a name for himself with plays like Appropriate, An Octoroon, and The Comeuppance. His current momentum, combined with the fact that Purpose will still be playing at the time of the ceremony, makes it a strong contender against Oh, Mary!. Regarding the cast, if Jon Michael Hill is considered the primary lead, do you think he can compete amidst such high-profile talents?
David Buchanan: You’ve highlighted another element that works in Purpose‘s favor: its modern twist on classic family drama elements, like the dinner table scene, providing fresh perspectives that are rarely seen in this genre. Concerning Best Actor, I’m anticipating some surprising omissions may occur when nominations are revealed. Currently, I only view Escola as a notable “lock.” Although I haven’t yet included Hill in my top five, I suspect that I will soon as I catch more spring productions to finalize my picks. Hill’s performance is central to the play’s flow; he’s got a significant amount of narration, but he manages to maintain the audience’s interest throughout. His dry humor, emotional delivery, and evocative final monologue stand out to me. This production also makes a strong case for an ensemble award at the Tonys, as every cast member excels. I imagine we’ll see at least two featured performer nominations; who would you predict?
Sam Eckmann: Generally, I might think that narrators like Hill have a harder time securing a nomination, but I recall a conversation we had where I confidently said that Jefferson Mays and Jennifer Ehle would be overlooked for Oslo, only for the Tony voters to surprise me. So I’m including Hill in my lead actor predictions, banking on history repeating itself. As for featured performers, Kara Young should definitely be a contender. She portrays Aziza, an outsider who finds herself caught in this chaotic family dynamic. Young has quickly gained a strong reputation, boasting Tony nominations for all her recent Broadway roles, capped with a win for Purlie Victorious last year. She wins over the audience, making her nomination feel inevitable. The question is whether Purpose can secure a second nomination for LaTanya Richardson Jackson. Getting two such nominations in the same category is challenging, but I’ve placed her in my predictions because she navigates a vibrant journey in the play and delivers constant humor while being pivotal during one of the plot’s most shocking moments. What are your thoughts on the featured actor category? Do you have Harry Lennix or Glenn Davis in your predictions?
David Buchanan: I’m aligned with you on Young and Jackson. I feel quite secure in Young snagging her fourth consecutive Tony nomination, which is remarkable! I can’t overlook Alana Arenas in her Broadway debut either, as she delivers some of the most entertaining material and quickly earns the audience’s affection. I do believe that Lennix has a chance for a nomination in featured actor, even though this is just his second Broadway role. His extensive experience in regional theater, particularly with the works of August Wilson, shines through. He balances a complex character who must embody an authoritarian figure while retaining a trace of redeemability. His interaction with Hill’s character in a gripping scene is particularly noteworthy—it’s poignant, comical, and deep, showcasing a powerful moment of connection after an intense evening. While I would also support Davis for his impressive comedic and surprising contributions, I must choose to back Lennix if I can only select one.
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