Watch the video below where, as a cultural critic, I examine how two plays Purpose and Wine in the Wilderness, powerfully challenge conventional narratives about Black identity through the lens of Black women's experiences. Though separated by context—a contemporary prestigious family versus 1960s civil unrest—these productions showcase how theatrical storytelling confronts societal expectations and illuminates the complexities of Black life.

Watch: Phylicia Rashad & LaChanze Directorial Debuts & More by Patrick L. Riley

Wine in the Wilderness (Classic Stage Company) features Olivia Washington—daughter of Denzel Washington—delivering a riveting performance as Tommy, a woman who defies an artist's preconceptions of Black womanhood during the 1964 Harlem riots. Tony Award-winning actress LaChanze makes her impressive New York directorial debut with this revival of Alice Childress' 1969 work, bringing fresh resonance to its examination of art, perception, and authenticity.

Purpose (Helen Hayes Theater) showcases Tony Award-winner Kara Young as Aziza in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' family drama about hidden secrets and radical legacies. The production marks legendary actress Phylicia Rashad's directorial debut on Broadway and features LaTanya Richardson Jackson—accomplished actress, director, and wife of Samuel L. Jackson—among its stellar ensemble, including Harry Lennix, Jon Michael Hill, Glenn Davis, and Alana Arenas.

My analysis highlights how these productions represent the continued presence of Black Hollywood royalty in theater, with Washington, Richardson Jackson, Rashad, and LaChanze creating a powerful bridge between stage and screen while advancing Black artistic storytelling across generations.

Patrick L. Riley is a producer and cultural critic who covers art and culture, including Broadway.