Branden Jacobs-Jenkins News

Watch in this video as Harry Lennix chats more about the genius of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, why doing Purpose every night is still a challenge, and so much more.

Watch in this video as LaTanya Richardson Jackson chats more about the genius of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, why it was a bumpy road to opening night of Purpose, and so much more.

This week's newsletter navigates a complex landscape for the theatre industry, from the immediate shockwaves of NEA grant terminations and their profound impact on individual organizations, as detailed by Cara Joy David, to A.R.T./NY's revealing 'Health + Wealth' report offering both stark realities and paths toward resilience in a challenging post-COVID environment. On Broadway, Andrew Lloyd Webber's potential acquisition of the former Mark Hellinger Theatre and the celebration of the Broadway League's latest award winners. Regionally, we see both ambitious growth with the announcement of David Rockwell's new magic theater in Chicago and concerning retrenchment as Berkeley's Aurora Theatre suspends its upcoming season.

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics has revealed the nominations for its third annual Dorian Theater Awards, honoring outstanding achievements across Broadway and Off-Broadway during the 2024-2025 season. Modeled after the group’s acclaimed Dorian Awards for film and television, the theater honors recognize both mainstream productions and those with LGBTQ+ themes or creators.

We took a look at which 2025 Tony nominees have won at least a Tony or two (or eight!) - amongst them, they've gathered a total 77 awards. Check out who'll be looking to add even more hardware to their Tony shelf at this year's ceremony.

This week's newsletter navigates a dynamic and somewhat contradictory landscape within the theater world, showcasing both significant achievement and contractions. From Concord's major acquisition poised to reshape theatrical licensing to the precarious financial situation facing a vital Portland theater and the broader uncertainties tied to declining tourism in New York, we see an industry simultaneously evolving and facing considerable headwinds.

The 2025 Tony nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York yesterday to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there for the special day. Check out photos of the 2025 play nominees here.

Tickets are on sale now for the first production of The Rep’s 2025 SummerStage season, ME AND THE DEVIL The play with music is written and directed by The Rep’s new Artistic Director, Little Rock-native and Broadway director, Steve H. Broadnax III. 

Concord has acquired Broadway Licensing Global. BLG’s family of imprints, Broadway Licensing, Dramatists Play Service, Playscripts, and Stage Rights, will now become part of Concord Theatricals.

What better way to cool off on a hot, Atlanta summer evening (or afternoon!) than taking in one of these exciting productions, coming to a community theatre near you! Check out all the amazing theatre that Metro Atlanta has to offer this summer!

The New York Drama Critics' Circle has named Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s Purpose Best Play of the 2024-25 season. The award for Best Musical went to Maybe Happy Ending, book by Will Aronson and Hue Park, music by Will Aronson, lyrics by Hue Park.

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 6, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins has won the 2025 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award for his play Purpose. Learn more here!

Last night, the Dramatists Guild of America honored the recipients of their 2025 Awards with a ceremony at Green Fig at which playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists celebrated their fellow theatre writers. Check out photos here!

The 78th Annual Tony Awards nominations were announced by Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce and here they are... celebrating the best of the 2024-25 theatre season. Check out the full list of nominees here.

Tickets for the pre-Broadway world premiere stage adaptation of Prince's legendary film and album, PURPLE RAIN, will go on sale on Friday, May 9 at 10 a.m..

See photos of Oprah and Gayle at Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Purpose on Broadway! Learn more about the Broadway production and see how to purchase tickets!

Tony Award winners Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce will announce the nominations for The 78th Annual Tony Awards, which will be announced live from Sofitel New York . We have all of the details here!

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and Zoetic Stage will present the Florida premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' THE COMEUPPANCE.

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 22, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.