Categories: Kristen Schweizer, THE BUZZ

THE BUZZ: The Mundane Beauty of La Jolla Playhouse’s “Primary Trust”

by Kristen Nevarez Schweizer

October 1, 2024

James Urbaniak, Caleb Eberhardt and James Udom in La Jolla Playhouse’s West Coast-premiere production of PRIMARY TRUST; photo by Rich Soublet II.

La Jolla Playhouse‘s production of Primary Trust feels like a modern counterpart to Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” exploring the subtle yet profound intricacies of humanity through a meta narrator. The 2024 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, written by Eboni Booth, receives a terrific regional premiere at LPJ’s Mandell Weiss Forum Theatre.

The narrative centers on Kenneth (luminous Caleb Eberhardt), a 38-year-old bookstore employee in a small upstate New York town. When his longtime employer unexpectedly closes up shop, Kenneth faces the life challenge he has long avoided: change. His evenings, invariably spent sipping Mai-Tais at the local Tiki bar with his imaginary best friend Bert (James Udom) becomes the cradle for transformation when he meets a new waitress (Rebecca S’mang Frank), who points him toward a new job as a bank teller. 

Caleb Eberhardt and Rebecca S’manga Frank in La Jolla Playhouse’s West Coast-premiere production of PRIMARY TRUST; photo by Rich Soublet II.

This low-stakes yet significant story illustrates the courage it takes to embrace change and the beauty of rediscovering the world around us. Each small interaction invites reflection on platonic relationships, formational trauma, and the prism of nostalgia. As Primary Trust unfolds, the everyday exchange of common words exquisitely captures today’s often-isolating single human experience.

Caleb Eberhardt as “Kenneth” and Rebecca S’manga Frank as “Corinna” in La Jolla Playhouse’s West Coast-premiere production of PRIMARY TRUST; photo by Knud Adams.

This is Knud Adams’s second time directing the jewel of a script. He led the show’s acclaimed premiere at Roundabout in 2023. Adams is a frequent collaborator with Booth and their fit proves itself in a skillful balance of humor with heartfelt. The elegant simplicity of staging and dialogue emphasizes the richness of the writing and the depth of the performances. The set designer (Marsha Ginsburg) and pieces are the same as the original run for the same award-winning, off-Broadway caliber seen in New York City last year.

This lovely, someday-to-be-classic play poignantly reminds us of the significance of navigating life’s routine and everyday complexities. This production invites reflection on one’s own life, making it a masterclass for anyone interested in the power of impactful storytelling. La Jolla Playhouse delivers a performance that is both thought-provoking and uplifting.

We thank La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley for bringing our city the first regional rights to the popular show and wish him well as he heads off to helm Roundabouts in 2026.

P.S. If you loved Primary Trust, you’ll adore the updated classic Our Town. Miracosta College will be producing a bilingual version next month. 

SEP 24 – OCT 20, 2024 | Mandell Weiss Forum Theatre
By Eboni Booth
Directed by Knud Adams
Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama

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