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Primary Trust

Primary Trust
Written byEboni Booth
Date premieredMay 4, 2023
Place premieredLaura Pels Theatre
Original languageEnglish
GenreDrama
SettingCranberry Lake, New York
1990s

Primary Trust is a dramatic stage play written by American playwright Eboni Booth. The production premiered Off-Broadway at the Laura Pels Theatre in 2023 and starred William Jackson Harper who received the Obie Award. The play was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2024.

Summary

The play tells the story of Kenneth, a 30-something African-American suburban bookstore worker with an imaginary friend who embarks on a journey of self-discovery. After being laid off from his long-time job, he considers applying for a new one at the Primary Trust Bank.[1][2]

Production history

Off-Broadway (2023)

The play premiered Off-Broadway at the Laura Pels Theatre, produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company, with support from The Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater and the Edgerton Foundation. The production was directed by Knud Adams.[3] William Jackson Harper won an Obie Award for distinguished performance, and the play was nominated for Outstanding Play by the Lucille Lortel Awards.[4][5][6] He also received nominations for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play and the Drama League Distinguished Performance Award.[7][8]

Signature Theatre (2024)

The play will receive its regional premiere at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, running from Sept 10-Oct 20, 2024 in the ARK Theatre.[citation needed]

Barrington Stage Company (2024)

The closing play of the season at Barrington Stage Company will run from Sept 18–Oct 13, 2024 at the ST. GERMAIN STAGE in Pittsfield, MA.[citation needed]

La Jolla Playhouse (2024)

The play will premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, as a West Coast premiere, with an with an anticipated run of Sept 24-Oct 20, 2024, again directed by Knud Adams.[9]

Chicago (2024)

Goodman Theatre in Chicago announced their regional premiere as part of the 2024-25 season.[10]

Seattle (2024)

The play will run at the Seattle Repertory Theatre from October 24 to November 27, 2024. It will be directed by Kaytlin McIntyre.[11]

Baltimore, MD (2025)

Everyman Theatre, Baltimore announced their production will be directed by Reginald L. Douglas and run February 2-March 2, 2025.[12]

Vancouver, Canada (2025)

The Arts Club Theatre Company announced their production of Primary Trust will be directed by Ashlie Corcoran, and run February 6–March 2, 2025.[13]

Original cast and characters

Character Off-Broadway (2023) Signature (2024) La Jolla (2024) Goodman (2024)
Kenneth William Jackson Harper Julius Thomas III Caleb Eberhardt Namir Smallwood
Bert Eric Berryman Frank Britton James Udom TBA
Corrina / Others April Matthis Yesenia Iglesias Rebecca S'Manga Frank TBA
Clay / Others Jay O. Sanders Craig Wallace James Urbaniak TBA

Awards and nominations

2023 Off-Broadway production

Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2024
 Pulitzer Prize Pulitzer Prize for Drama Won [14]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play William Jackson Harper Nominated [15]
Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Nominated [16]
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Play Nominated [17]
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play William Jackson Harper Nominated
Obie Awards Performance Won [18]
Sustained Achievement in Design Mikaal Sulaiman Won
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play Won [19]
Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play William Jackson Harper Won
Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play April Matthis Nominated
Jay O. Sanders Won
Outstanding Direction of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway) Knud Adams Nominated

References

  1. ^ New York Times Review - Primary Trust accessed 05/06/2024
  2. ^ Best Theater of 2023 - The New York Times
  3. ^ "Primary Trust - Edgerton Foundation New Play Awards". circle.tcg.org.
  4. ^ Jacobs-Jenkins, Branden (April 17, 2024). "Eboni Booth on 'Primary Trust': Only Connect". AMERICAN THEATRE.
  5. ^ "Eboni Booth's Primary Trust Opens Off-Broadway May 25 | Playbill".
  6. ^ Off-Broadway Database Listingaccessed 05/06/2024
  7. ^ Sarah Paulson Wins Drama League Award; See the Full List of Winners|Playbill
  8. ^ Stereophonic Leads 2024 Drama Desk Awards With 7 Wins Including Outstanding Play|Playbill
  9. ^ "Primary Trust". La Jolla Playhouse. November 19, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  10. ^ "2024/2025 Season". Goodman Theatre. October 24, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  11. ^ "Primary Trust". Seattle Rep. March 13, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  12. ^ "Everyman Theatre's 2024/2025 Season". Everyman Theatre. September 16, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  13. ^ "PRIMARY TRUST, Granville Island Stage". Arts Club Theatre Company. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  14. ^ "Eboni Booth's 'Primary Trust' Wins 2024 Pulitzer Prize For Drama; Play Was Staged Off Broadway By Roundabout Last Summer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  15. ^ "2024 Drama Desk Award nominations announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  16. ^ "2024 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  17. ^ "2024 Lucille Lortel Award winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  18. ^ "Obie Awards 23". Obieawards. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  19. ^ "Dead Outlaw Leads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
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