Tony Awards 2025: Broadway play 'Purpose,' which launched at Chicago Steppenwolf Theatre, wins 2 major awards
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — A play that launched in Chicago at Steppenwolf Theatre won two major Tony awards.

Actor and Artistic Director Glenn Davis talked about how “Purpose” made Broadway dreams come true.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

“I knew we had an incredible play; I felt it even back in Chicago when you experienced it, and the New York reception has been incredible,” Davis said. “Our aim was to craft something beautiful for Chicago audiences. I believe we succeeded; New York reached out. Now, here we stand the day after winning the Tony for best play.”

“I want to just thank the city of Chicago honestly who made this show what it was with their enthusiasm,” playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins said.

Davis said he feels great about what they created.

“Being part of this journey with this renowned theatre company, where I began and now belong, I was a Black child from the South Side of Chicago, raised in Chatham, with my grandparents playing a large role in my upbringing.” Davis said. “When I expressed my desire to be a theater artist, they supported and encouraged me in every way possible.”

He said it’s meaningful to honor Steppenwolf in this way.

“Doing this at this moment, especially with artists of color, holds immense significance and brings me deep personal joy, alongside everyone on this journey,” Davis said. “Everything has aligned perfectly to create something stunning; it’s all dedicated to Chicago.”

Davis said Chicago was “right next” to him.

“Right behind me, we feel like we did something right, couldn’t be more proud to be a Chicagoan and bring this Tony back home to Chicago,” he said.

“Purpose” is said to be inspired by Jesse Jackson’s family.

Ticket sales went through the roof right after the play won the Tony; the drama is now extended through the summer on Broadway.

The video in the player above is from an earlier report.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Camp Shaw in Manteno, Illinois: Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See talks safety protocols near Rock Creek amid Texas flooding at Camp Mystic

Camp Shaw in Manteno, Illinois: Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See Discusses Safety Measures Near Rock Creek in Light of Texas Flooding at Camp Mystic

MANTENO, Ill. (WLS) — As search and rescue efforts continue in Texas,…
Close-up of Ian Wilkinson outside a court building.

Sole Survivor of Erin Patterson’s Meal Speaks Out with Powerful 8-Word Message After Verdict

THE sole survivor of mushroom killer Erin Patterson’s poisoned lunch has broken…
Marvel Comics writer Eve L. Ewing takes inspiration from Chicago roots for 'Ironheart' on Disney+

Eve L. Ewing Draws on Chicago Legacy for Marvel’s ‘Ironheart’ Series on Disney+

CHICAGO (WLS) — Eve L. Ewing is a Chicago powerhouse, an acclaimed…
Passengers will no longer have to take their shoes off at the airport

Airport Passengers Can Skip Removing Shoes During Security Checks

Nearly 20 years after airline passengers were first required to remove their…
UK court convicts 3 men over arson attack authorities say was organized by Russian intelligence

UK Court Finds 3 Men Guilty of Arson Attack Allegedly Coordinated by Russian Intelligence

A British jury on Tuesday convicted three men of arson in an…
2 student pilots die in a midair collision in Canada

Two Student Pilots Lose Their Lives in Midair Collision in Canada

On Tuesday morning, a tragic accident occurred when two student pilots lost…
House swept away as flash flooding hits mountain village in New Mexico

Flash Floods in New Mexico Mountain Village Cause House to Be Swept Away

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — People found themselves trapped in their homes…
ICE agents targeted in 2 ambush attacks in recent days

ICE Agents Face Two Recent Ambush Attacks

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and other federal law enforcement…
Jacksonville drug bust seizes fentanyl for 600,000 doses

Jacksonville Authorities Confiscate Enough Fentanyl for 600,000 Dosages

Jacksonville authorities dismantled a drug house near Downtown, seizing enough fentanyl to…
‘Below Deck’ Star Damo Yörg Gushes Over Steamy Kiss With Fraser Olender: “He’s An Absolute Babe”

‘Below Deck’ Star Damo Yörg Excitedly Talks About Passionate Kiss With Fraser Olender: “He’s Such a Heartthrob”

Damo Yörg has had “a lot of dudes” in his DMs ever…
Trash piles up around Philadelphia as city worker strike reaches 1 week

Philadelphia Faces Growing Trash Problem as City Worker Strike Hits One-Week Mark

Piles of trash overflowed in Philadelphia’s streets as a city worker strike…
President Donald Trump speaking at a cabinet meeting.

Frustrated Donald Trump lashes out over the Jeffrey Epstein ‘client list’ issue as FBI findings debunk conspiracy theories.

DONALD Trump has slammed questions about the controversy surrounding disgraced millionaire Jeffrey…