A New American Classic
Primary Trust captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike when it premiered off-Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre Company in 2023. The Observer wrote of the play that it “will restore your faith in theatre’s elemental storytelling powers,” and The Daily Beast called the play a “buffed-to-gleaming jewel.” Written by the talented playwright Eboni Booth, this heartwarming play was then awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2024. In this American theatre season, Primary Trust is one of the most performed plays in the country. But what has audiences and critics so enthusiastic about this play?
At the heart of Primary Trust is Kenneth, a shy and introverted 38-year-old Black man living in a small town in upstate New York. After working at a local bookstore for 20 years, his life takes an unexpected turn when the owner decides to close the store. While Kenneth drinks his usual mai tai at the local Tiki bar, Wally’s, a waitress suggests he looks for work at a new bank that’s opening, the titular Primary Trust. As Kenneth navigates working at a new job, he forms unlikely friendships and discovers the power of human connection.
In an interview, Booth commented on what she believes is driving the play. “The antidote for me has been really feeling connected and seen by other people. It sounds so Mickey Mouse, but we need each other, and I think that’s important, and to be able to let people in is crucial.” It's this concept that guides Booth’s exploration of loneliness, the complexities of modern relationships, the importance of empathy, and the transformative nature of kindness. “One of the things that people responded to is that we all felt so alone, and we all lost so much. And what is the antidote to this? I think some sense of connection [is what] we were all really craving.
Lilian Oben (Wally's Waiter) and DeShawn Harold Mitchell (Kenneth) in rehearsal for PRIMARY TRUST.
Directed at the Playhouse by fan favorite Timothy Douglas, the upcoming production will no doubt be as well-loved as others occurring across the country. Douglas offered his take on why Primary Trust is so beloved. “I ... will venture to say that the play’s humanistic, often humorous, and equally contemplative journey is a wholly inviting one. On a fundamental level the play reflects an ongoing reassessment of having to navigate one’s priorities in a post-pandemic America. Although packed with incident, the gentle way in which the storytelling unfolds, perhaps provides a meditative balance to other playgoing experiences that may demand a more intense rigor from its audience.”
Although set in a “time before cell phones,” Kenneth’s story proves especially poignant today, in a world that often feels increasingly isolated. Booth believes that, in addition to Kenneth’s story, the theatre also serves as a medium of connection. “I go to art for a feeling of community and that sort of recognition of ‘oh, shoot, I’m not the only person who thinks that! I’m not the only person who does that.’ You know, I belong to a bigger world.”
Ultimately, Primary Trust is a testament to the enduring power of human connection. As Kenneth navigates unexpected changes and forges new bonds, audiences are invited to reflect on their own lives and the connections that shape their experiences. Under the direction of Douglas, this production promises to be a moving and unforgettable theatrical experience.