by Mark G. Auerbach
When Primary Trust, Eboni Booth’s triumphant Pulitzer Prize winning drama had its area premiere at Barrington Stage last fall, the buzz was electrifying. The production was a critical and audience hit. Primary Trust won several Berkshire Theatre Critics Awards. Well, TheaterWorks Hartford is mounting its own production, importing “Berkie” winners Jennifer Chang (director), and Justin Weaks, along with Hilary Ward, who appeared in the Pittsfield production. Costume designer Danielle Preston and lighting designer Brian Ealey repeat their roles in Hartford. Everything else is new.
Eboni Booth’s play exceeds the hype. It’s a beautifully written sympathetic portrait of a man seeking connection. It offers its quartet of actors well-conceived roles, and it balances comedy and drama with writing that is musical in tone and rich in context. Thirty years from now, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Primary Trust amongst Death of a Salesman and A Streetcar Named Desire as pinnacles of American theatre.
Primary Trust is the story of Kenneth (Justin Weaks), a thirty-something bookstore clerk, who spends his free time sipping mai tais with his best friend, Bert in a suburban strip mall bar. His routine is up-ended, when the owner of the bookstore closes the store, leaving Kenneth adrift. He’s never had to apply for a job before. Quickly, we learn Kenneth’s back-story. He’s a kid trying to get ahead with all odds against him. His mother dies when he’s young, and grows up in a foster home, depending on Bert, his imaginary friend, for support. Kenneth gets a job at Primary Trust, and gradually begins to meet people. The last twenty minutes or so of Prinasry Trust allow Kenneth to rebuild and thrive, and it gives Justin Weaks an opportunity to deliver a tour de force performance, one of the finest pieces of acting seen on any area theatre scene in several years. His performance has matured since his Pittsfield run. The nuances are fantastic.
Jennifer Chang’s direction is fluid, and balanced, as are the performances. Samuel Stricklen as Bert is charming, and Ricardo Chavira and Hilary Ward play multiple characters, and they effortlessly slide from one to the other. Nicholas Ponting has created an expansive set for the intimate TheaterWorks stage, a series of suburban storefronts and facades. Danielle Preston’s costumes are perfect. Bryan Esley’s lights, and Frederick Kennedy’s sound are extraordinary.
Primary Trust offers a fine new play worthy of its accolades, and a character, Kenneth, who will become one sought after by many actors in search of a challenging role. And, Weak’s performance is a good reason to trek to Hartford.
Primary Trust runs at TheaterWorks Hartford through May 11. For details: www.twhartford.org.
TheaterWorks Hartford presents Primary Trust by Eboni Booth. Directed by Jennifer Chang. Scenic design by Nicholas Ponting. Costume design by Danielle Preston. Lighting design by Bryan Ealey. Sound design by Frederick Kennedy. Cast: Ricardo Chavira, Samuel Stricklen, Hilary Ward and Justin Weaks. Through May 11, at TheaterWorks Hartford, Pearl Street, Hartford. . . For details: www.twhartford.org.
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and The Yale School of Drama. He has worked for arts organizations nationwide, and reported on the arts for print and broadcast. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat, Survivor Stories, and On The Mark for WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. He’s a regular contributor to Berkshire On Stage And a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association.