A Mai Tai and a Leap of Faith: Why You Can’t Miss 'Primary Trust' at TheatreWorks
If you’ve ever felt like the world was moving just a little too fast for you to keep up, then TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s latest production is going to feel like a warm hug.
Coming to the Lucie Stern Theatre this March is "Primary Trust," the 2024 Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama. Written by Eboni Booth, this isn't your typical high-stakes thriller. Instead, it’s a "buffed-to-gleaming jewel" of a play about the monumental courage it takes to do something simple: start over.
The Story: Meet Kenneth
Kenneth is a 38-year-old man who loves his life exactly as it is. For twenty years, he’s worked at the same used bookstore and spent every evening at Wally’s Tiki Bar, sipping Mai Tais with his best friend, Bert.
But there’s a twist: Bert is imaginary. When the bookstore suddenly closes, Kenneth’s carefully constructed world is shattered. Forced out of his comfort zone, he lands a job at "Primary Trust" bank. It’s here that the real story begins—a journey of navigating "real" friendships, facing long-buried childhood trauma, and learning that the world outside his routine might actually have a place for him.
A Closer Look: The Heart of the Story
At its core, Primary Trust is a character study of Kenneth, a man whose life is defined by a "beautiful, static safety." For twenty years, his world has been a closed loop: the used bookstore where he works for the aging Mr. MacMillan, and Wally’s Tiki Bar, where he drinks Mai Tais with his best friend, Bert.
The tension of the play lies in the revelation that Bert is a figment of Kenneth's imagination—a protective "wall" built to shield him from the memory of a tragic childhood in the foster care system.
The Catalyst: When the Loop Breaks
The story kicks into gear when Mr. MacMillan announces he’s closing the bookstore. This isn't just a job loss for Kenneth; it’s the loss of his sanctuary. With no other options, Kenneth is forced to interview at Primary Trust Bank.
The plot follows his awkward, yet deeply moving, transition into "the real world":
The Interview: In a scene both hilarious and cringe-worthy, Kenneth navigates a corporate interview with a bank manager who is impressed by his twenty-year loyalty but baffled by his lack of "modern" experience.
The New Friend: Kenneth meets Corrina, a waitress at Wally’s (played by the versatile Rolanda D. Bell, who voices multiple characters). Unlike Bert, Corrina is real, unpredictable, and genuinely interested in Kenneth. Their blossoming, platonic friendship serves as the bridge Kenneth needs to cross from his internal world to the external one.
The "Bell" and the Do-Over: Throughout the play, Kenneth uses a small desk bell to "reset" moments. If a conversation goes poorly or a memory becomes too painful, the bell rings, and the scene restarts. It’s a literal representation of his social anxiety and his desire to get life "right."
What Makes This Production Special?
TheatreWorks has assembled an incredible team to bring the fictional town of Cranberry, NY, to life right here in Palo Alto:
Award-Winning Pedigree: Fresh off its Pulitzer win, this is the Regional Premiere of a script that critics have called "near-perfect."
A Stellar Cast: Led by William Thomas Hodgson as Kenneth and Kenny Scott as Bert, the production also features Bay Area favorites Dan Hiatt and Rolanda D. Bell.
Live Music: Unlike many traditional plays, this production features an onstage musician (Jonathan Erman), adding a rhythmic, soulful layer to Kenneth’s internal world.
The "Bell": Keep an ear out for the "call bell" used during the show. It’s a clever theatrical device that signals Kenneth’s shifts in memory and his attempts at "do-overs" in awkward social situations.
Plan Your Visit
Where: Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.
When: March 4 – March 29, 2026.
Runtime: Approximately 95 minutes (no intermission).
Tickets: Ranging from $34 to $115.
Final Thoughts
"Primary Trust" is a reminder that kindness—both from strangers and toward ourselves—is a powerful force. It’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, and ultimately, it’s deeply hopeful.
Primary Trust Review
Highlights
- An interesting plot (fairly original)
- Unexpected premiere party with Mai-Tai, chardonnay, & cookies
Lowlights
- The pacing was a bit slow
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