Review: The Ensemble Theatre Presents Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Funny, Fierce 'Purpose'

What occurs when your family name has more importance than you do? This question sits at the center of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' play Purpose, currently being performed at The Ensemble Theatre, and the answer is messy, hilarious, uncomfortable, and profoundly human. Because of the direction by Eileen J. Morris and a highly committed six-member cast, Purpose turns into more than just a play concerning one particular family; it makes a sharp study of legacy, identity, politics, faith, family expectations and the at times painful journey of working out who you are when all the other people have already told you who you should be.

_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/houston/article/REVIEW-The-Ensemble-Theatres-Purpose-Is-a-Funny-Fierce-and-Deeply-Human-Family-Affair-20260920)._