Essential Viewing: 'Primary Trust' from PlayMakers Is a Richly Human and Warm Triumph

Eboni Booth's acclaimed play celebrates the everyday and explores themes of loneliness and friendship.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 7:39pm

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Eboni Booth's Primary Trust, which debuted Off-Broadway in 2023 and won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is now being staged by PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill. The play, set in the fictional town of Cranberry, New York, follows the story of Kenneth, a 38-year-old Black man whose life is upended when he loses his bookstore job of 18 years. The production features a talented cast and creative team, delivering a sensitive and nuanced exploration of the human condition.

Why it matters

Primary Trust's focus on the ordinary and the everyday, as well as its exploration of themes like loneliness and the importance of community, resonates with audiences and critics alike. The play's success highlights the power of storytelling to capture the richness of human experience, even in the most seemingly mundane moments.

The details

Primary Trust is a play with only four actors and a musician, yet it manages to create a fully realized world in the fictional town of Cranberry, New York. The play's protagonist, Kenneth, is a 38-year-old Black man who loses his bookstore job of 18 years when the owner, Sam, moves away for health reasons. Kenneth's life is then upended, and the play follows his journey as he navigates this change and the loneliness he experiences. The production features naturalistic acting, smooth transitions, and a clever set design that evokes a sense of nostalgia.

  • Primary Trust debuted Off-Broadway in 2023.
  • The play won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
  • PlayMakers Repertory Company is staging the production in Chapel Hill, with the opening night rescheduled due to weather interruptions.

The players

Eboni Booth

The playwright of Primary Trust, whose work debuted Off-Broadway in 2023 and won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Kenneth

The 38-year-old Black protagonist of Primary Trust, whose life is upended when he loses his bookstore job of 18 years.

Bert

Kenneth's imaginary best friend, who is portrayed as a real character in the play.

NJ Agwuna

The experienced director of the PlayMakers Repertory Company production of Primary Trust, known for their sensitivity to the emotional beats of the story and uncanny pacing.

Sam

The bookstore owner who moves away, causing Kenneth to lose his job of 18 years.

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What they’re saying

“Primary Trust requires only four actors and a musician. One embodies Kenneth, and the other, Bert, who Kenneth tells us early on is his imaginary best friend. The other two actors play multiple roles.”

— Pamir Kiciman, Correspondent

“There is a sensitivity to the emotional beats of the story, coupled with uncanny pacing and rhythm that flows like the river running alongside Cranberry.”

— Pamir Kiciman, Correspondent

“Nate engagingly delivers the opening, is instantly likable, and bears the arc of his story and the collective story of Primary Trust with vulnerability and depth.”

— Pamir Kiciman, Correspondent

What’s next

The PlayMakers Repertory Company production of Primary Trust will run through February 15, 2026.

The takeaway

Primary Trust's focus on the ordinary and the everyday, as well as its exploration of themes like loneliness and the importance of community, make it a richly human and warm triumph that resonates with audiences. The play's success highlights the power of storytelling to capture the complexity of the human experience.