Primary Trust

Last updated
Primary Trust
Written by Eboni Booth
Date premieredMay 4, 2023
Place premiered Laura Pels Theatre
Original language English
GenreDrama
Setting Cranberry 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.

Contents

Summary

The play tells the story of Kenneth, a bookstore worker 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]

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. [2] William Jackson Harper won an Obie Award for distinguished performance, and the play was nominated for Outstanding Play by the Lucille Lortel Awards. [3] [4] [5]

La Jolla (2024)

The play will premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse as a West Coast premiere, with an anticipated run of Sept 24-Oct 20, 2024, again directed by Knud Adams. [6]

Original cast and characters

CharacterOff-Broadway (2023)La Jolla (2024)
Kenneth William Jackson Harper TBA
BertEric BerrymanTBA
Corrina / OthersApril MatthisTBA
Clay / Others Jay O. Sanders TBA

Awards and nominations

2023 Off-Broadway production

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResultRef.
2024
 Pulitzer Prize Pulitzer Prize for Drama Won [7]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play William Jackson Harper Pending [8]
Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Pending [9]
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding PlayNominated [10]
Outstanding Lead Performer in a PlayWilliam Jackson HarperNominated
Obie Awards PerformanceWon [11]
Sustained Achievement in DesignMikaal SulaimanWon
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Off-Broadway PlayWon [12]
Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway PlayWilliam Jackson HarperWon
Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway PlayApril MatthisNominated
Jay O. Sanders Won
Outstanding Direction of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway)Knud AdamsNominated

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References

  1. ↑ New York Times Review - Primary Trustaccessed 05/06/2024
  2. ↑ "Primary Trust - Edgerton Foundation New Play Awards". circle.tcg.org.
  3. ↑ Jacobs-Jenkins, Branden (April 17, 2024). "Eboni Booth on 'Primary Trust': Only Connect". AMERICAN THEATRE.
  4. ↑ "Eboni Booth's Primary Trust Opens Off-Broadway May 25 | Playbill".
  5. ↑ Off-Broadway Database Listingaccessed 05/06/2024
  6. ↑ "Primary Trust".
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "2024 Drama Desk Award nominations announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  9. ↑ "2024 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  10. ↑ "2024 Lucille Lortel Award winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Obie Awards 23". Obieawards. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Dead Outlaw Leads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
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