Primary Trust: Courage, Connection, and the Beauty of New Beginnings
REVIEW: PRIMARY TRUST
BY RYAN M. LUEVANO
In the heart of upstate New York, where life’s rhythm often beats at a steady, familiar pace, Kenneth navigates his days working at a local bookstore and his evenings at a beloved tiki bar, sharing Mai Tais with his best friend Bert. However, when the rug is pulled out from under him with an unexpected layoff, Kenneth is forced to confront the very challenges he’s long outrun. Eboni Booth’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Primary Trust, now gracing the stage of the Mark Taper Forum from May 20 to June 28, 2026, unfolds as a deeply touching narrative of new beginnings, the enduring power of friendship, and the quiet courage required to see the world truly—and oneself—for the very first time.
Primary Trust is a moving theatrical experience that beautifully explores the healing power of human connection in the face of trauma. Eboni Booth’s writing demonstrates a masterful understanding of storytelling: at its heart, the play offers a compelling narrative and a character audiences can truly invest in. While it employs a refreshing direct address to the audience, reminiscent of classics like Our Town and The Glass Menagerie, it achieves this with a modern sensibility that feels neither dated nor cloying. The play’s tightly constructed, intermission-free structure propels the story forward with admirable efficiency, culminating in a piece of theater that genuinely unites its audience.
The stage, transformed into an enchanting antique music box under Knud Adams meticulous direction, pulses with swift and engaging energy. Marsha Ginsberg’s meticulously crafted miniature town set, brought to life by Luke Wygodny’s live music and Masha Tsimring’s evocative lighting design, creates a truly immersive experience. Adams adept use of light physical comedy and staging injects delightful moments of humor that seamlessly enhance the play’s dramatic core.
From the moment he steps onto the stage, Petey McGee as Kenneth is a triumph. He draws the audience in with a performance brimming with humanity, crafting a protagonist who is not just flawed, but profoundly lived-in and deeply empathetic. McGee’s presence is one of quiet power, infused with both heat and humility. Rebecca S’Manga Frank provides a delightful counterpoint, navigating the play with a performance that seamlessly weaves together sharp drama and disarming character-based humor. Each scene she graces is a pleasure. Adding further richness is James Urbaniak, whose masterful character acting allows him to inhabit a diverse array of personalities. He eschews superficiality, offering each role nuanced physicality and authentic depth, making every appearance a captivating experience.
Primary Trust is far more than just a play; it’s a poignant and thoughtfully crafted journey that resonates long after the final bow. Through Eboni Booth’s masterful writing, Ugo Chukwu’s inspired direction, and a cast led by the extraordinary Petey McGee, the production at the Mark Taper Forum offers a powerful exploration of resilience, connection, and the transformative courage found in embracing change. This deeply human story, rich in both humor and heart, proves to be a necessary and profoundly moving theatrical experience that beautifully champions the quiet victories found in forging genuine human connections.
MORE INFORMATION:
WHEN:
Performances: MAY 20TH – JUN 28, 2026
WHERE:
Mark Taper Forum is located at 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles CA 90012.
