“Primary Trust”
Westport Country Playhouse
Westport Country Playhouse is currently presenting a deeply moving production of Eboni Booth’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Primary Trust”. With the endearing Alphonso Walker, Jr. as the main character Kenneth, this show follows the life of this character and how changing jobs also changes him. Walker speaks directly to the audience and “Primary Trust” can be praised for slowly revealing layers about Kenneth, instead of presenting everything about him all at once.
Director Logan Vaughn has done a wonderful job with this play and the ninety minute running time (without an intermission) is full of nuance and moments of heartache. Vaughn also works expertly with the three other actors in the production, but “Primary Trust” is really centered on Kenneth and Walker is so good in the part you almost want to take him home. By all means, get to “Primary Trust” at Westport Country Playhouse for a deeply satisfying show.
Greg Stuhr, Lance Coadie Williams, and Jasminn Johnson portray the supporting parts in the play, with Stuhr and Johnson skillfully taking on several characters. When “Primary Trust” begins, Kenneth is talking about his favorite bar and how he always will get several Mai Tais with his friend Bert (the ebullient Lance Coadie Williams). In the opening scene, there is a great conversation between Kenneth and Bert at the bar and it displays how much they truly enjoy each other’s friendship. There is something highly unusual about this friendship, though (not to be revealed here) and this is the tipping off point in the play to show just how troubled Kenneth really is under the surface.
Kenneth initially works at a bookstore, but, when the owner decides to close the store, Kenneth is faced with a career change, which turns out to be him becoming a teller at the Primary Trust Bank. Helping him along are Stuhr, as the boss at the bank, and Johnson as Kenneth’s favorite waitress and friend, Corrina, at the bar. As mentioned, both of these performers play multiple roles and they are both terrific, with Johnson being so especially brilliant that you would be convinced that there are multiple actresses playing all of her parts. And then there is Williams as Bert. This actor does full justice in this part and he is warm and jovial throughout. It is immediately clear that his presence proves to be the definite lifeline for Kenneth to navigate his life.
Indeed, this show is about Kenneth, and Alphonso Walker, Jr. is enormously touching in this role. Walker has a welcoming quality about him and he immediately wins the audience over. Even more so about his performance is how he personifies every part of this character—indeed, it is almost difficult to differentiate where Kenneth begins and Walker ends. This play really rises or falls at the expertise of the leading actor and it is gratifying news that this actor fills the bill ideally.
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The design elements in “Primary Trust” are also superlative, with the fine set design by Jack Magaw being very adaptable with the use of a turntable for the various scenes. The lighting design by Jonah Bobilin is almost hypnotic and the costume design by Ari Fulton is quite good, helping to delineate each character.
When Walker takes the stage for the final scene, talking directly to the audience, it is not so different than the opening moments, but everything about Kenneth has changed, just by how much the audience collectively learns about him throughout the show.
“Primary Trust” is not always a feel-good show, but it doesn’t try to be. Instead, it is a deeply honest and sensitive play and the production at Westport Country Playhouse is most highly recommended.
“Primary Trust” runs through May 2, 2026, at Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers CT., Westport CT. For tickets and information, please call 203-227-4177 or visit westportplayhouse.org.
Photo (L-R): Greg Stuhr, Lance Coadie Williams, and Alphonso Walker Jr.
Photo by Carol Rosegg
Reviews by Zander Opper 