Opening January 22 at Farmers Alley Theatre, “Primary Trust” by Eboni Booth delves into deep topics such as loneliness through brilliant and hard-cutting facets. With the help of the multi-talented, Jerry Dixon, as the director and a powerhouse cast found in DeVaughn Asante Loman (Kenneth), Byron Glenn Willis (Bert), Bianca Washington (Corrina & Others), and Michael Ray Helms (Sam/Clay/Bartender), the play falls into the gentlest, most talented of hands despite its emotional themes.
“Primary Trust” follows Kenneth, who is perfectly happy with his daily routine: enjoying a post-work Wally’s mai tai every evening with his only friend, Bert. Kenneth is dealt a cruel hand when the bookstore that he works at closes down unexpectedly. Thus, he must adjust to a new routine and new people as he transitions to working at a bank (which happens to be called Primary Trust).
Booth approaches the topic of mental health awareness through a captivatingly unique script. An example of this is the use of a service bell sound effect which marks the passage of time. All of the distinctive components found in “Primary Trust” will give Dixon a fresh directorial challenge, “I am challenged to create a world where reality, escape, fantasy, time and stasis, all exist inside this one play. I must bring clarity to this theatrical gumbo.”
Throughout the play, the audience gets to know Kenneth and what makes him tick as a character, which is revealed through his conversations with Bert, Corrina, Sam, Clay, and various customers and waiters. One thing that is clear is that Kenneth seems to be trapped in this pit of perpetual loneliness, which he is trying to claw his way out of. Dixon explains, “‘Primary Trust’ takes us from the depths of loneliness to the heights of connection. We see ourselves on this journey.” In the age of social media, pandemics, and general uncertainty in the world around us, stories that mirror our own lives and desires become markedly important.
Through his small triumphs, Kenneth is able to slowly take himself out of the “loneliness pit”. Booth works to celebrate those little moments, “‘Primary Trust’ is full of what I like to call fragile victories. No climbing of Mount Everest. No solving world peace. It’s about one human, taking the smallest of steps toward fulfillment,” Dixon says. This play takes that feeling of “smallness” and, through a mighty cast of 4, brings positivity to a journey that would typically be overlooked.
Dixon adds, “‘Primary Trust’ is a play where you get to watch other humans make a mess of life, clean it up, only to do it all over again. It's hilarious, full of heart, and so very human!” We can all find ourselves in Kenneth, which is why “Primary Trust” is relevant and highly deserving of its Pulitzer.
“Primary Trust” runs at Farmers Alley Theatre for a limited time, starting January 22. Don’t miss your chance to experience this meaningful story.