Primary Trust, Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, CT, USA

Change, while some love it, for others it can be daunting. Playwright Eboni Booth’s 2024 Pulitzer Prize Award play, Primary Trust, looks at change, loss, and friendships that will leave you talking about this dynamic play long after you leave the theatre. We saw Primary Trust on Opening Night, Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut starring an impeccable cast of Jasminn Johnson, Greg Stuhr, Alphonso Walker, Jr., and Lance Coadie Williams, and directed by Logan Vaughn. The play runs until May 2, 2026. Bravo!

Alphonso Walker, Jr. (Kenneth) – Primary Trust

Playwright Eboni Booth’s 2024 Pulitzer Prize Award play, Primary Trust, is a strong, well-written play that takes an in-depth look at change, loss, the power of friendships, and a sense of belonging. It is a play that makes an impact, hits hard, and delves deep into emotions. Meet Kenneth, played by Alphonso Walker, Jr., a 38-year-old man who lives in a small town (Cranberry, New York) where he has worked at the same place, a small bookshop, for 20 years where the owner, Sam, played by Greg Stuhr, not only values him as an employee, but also has a close relationship with him and always invites Kenneth to share Thanksgiving dinner with him and his wife. While Kenneth always declines, he appreciates the offer that is always on the table.

Alphonso Walker, Jr. (Kenneth), Lance Coadie Williams (Bert), Jasminn Johnson (Wally’s Waiter) – Primary Trust

Kenneth is a man with a rhythm, a daily ritual that takes him from his job to Wally’s Tiki Bar where he meets up after work with his friend Bert, played by Lance Codie Williams for Happy Hour, 2-for-1 Mai Tais, and lots of conversation. His mother died when he was young and he spent years in foster homes and later in a group home, and friends are an important part of Kenneth’s life. He treasures his friendship with Bert, who helps him get through the day and calms him down when he gets angry. There is one slight problem though, and that is the fact that Bert is imaginary, and only Kenneth can “see” him.

Alphonso Walker, Jr. (Kenneth), Jasminn Johnson (Wally’s Waiter) – Primary Trust

Although Kenneth faces many challenges in the world, as long as he has his job at the bookstore, Wally’s for Mai Tais, and his friend Bert, all is right in his world, that is, until Sam, a heavy smoker, tells him that he has to retire and close the bookstore due to his health, and move to Arizona with his wife. Suddenly, Kenneth’s world is turned upside down. His daily ritual, since he was 18 and needed to get a job when he was no longer a part of the childcare system, was to work at the bookstore.

For the past 20 years, the bookstore has been his only job. Devastated, he relies more and more on Bert, often overindulging on Mai Tais at Wally’s when he meets Corrinna, played by Jasminn Johnson, a bubbly and talkative new waitress there. When Corrinna learns that Kenneth has lost his job and needs another one, she suggests that he apply at the Bank, Primary Trust, and encouraged by Bert, he does and gets a job.

Jasminn Johnson (Corrina), Alphonso Walker, Jr. (Kenneth) – Primary Trust

With the encouragement from the kind and generous Bank Manager, Clay, played by Greg Stuhr, Kenneth succeeds in his new job despite customer challenges. While change can often be daunting, with the help of his new friends, Clay and Corrinna, there is hope at the end of the tunnel for Kenneth.

Greg Stuhr (Clay), Alphonso Williams, Jr. (Kenneth), Lance Coadie Walker (Bert) – Primary Trust

Beautifully and provocatively written, Primary Trust will have you thinking about the play, its characters, and its meaning, long after you leave the theatre, in part due to the skillfully rendered portrayals of the multi-layered characters with such high caliber, veteran actors – Jasminn Johnson, Greg Stuhr, Alphonso Walker, Jr., and Lance Coadie Williams.

As it was Opening Night, there was a reception following the performance sponsored by Hightower Signature Wealth, where the audience had the opportunity to meet and converse with the talented cast and converse with other patrons of the arts. It was a night of theatre at its best followed by stimulating conversations after the performance. Bravo!

Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!

Primary Trust – Cast (alphabetical order)

Primary Trust – Creative Team

Primary Trust Schedule: The play runs until May 2, 2026. Sundays at 3:00 pm, Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, Wednesdays at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm, Thursdays at 7:00 pm, Fridays at 8:00 pm. Saturdays at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Runtime is 95 minutes without intermission.

For additional information or to purchase tickets, please call the Box Office at +1-203-227-4177, email them at boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org, or visit the website at https://tickets.westportplayhouse.org/events. 

Special Dinner & A Show: Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse is located on the Playhouse campus and is offering a special pre-show pre-fixe menu for theatre patrons (offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday). Click here to view the menu and pricing, then call Gabriele’s at (203) 454-4922 to make your reservation. Be sure to tell them you are attending the show to access the exclusive menu and price!” 

Please visit the WCP’s website for other dining options: https://www.westportplayhouse.org/visit/dining/ 

Westport Country Playhouse’s Upcoming Schedule for 2026

2026 Programming & Season Sponsor Barbara Streicker. 

About the Westport Country Playhouse 

“Originally built in 1835 as a tannery manufacturing hatters’ leathers the building that would become Westport Country Playhouse was in 1880 turned into a steam-powered cider mill and later abandoned in the 1920s.Splendidly transformed into a theater in 1931, it initially served as a try-out house for Broadway transfers, evolving into an established stop on the New England straw hat circuit of summer stock theaters through the end of the 20th century.  Following a multi-million-dollar renovation completed in 2005, the Playhouse became a producing, non-profit, regional theater, preserving its original charm and character.” 

The Westport Country Playhouse, named as “Theatre Company of the Year” in December 2013 by The Wall Street Journal, opened on June 29, 1931, in a transformed 1835 cow barn, which has, and continues to attract, a “who’s who” of prominent actors. When you visit the Westport Country Playhouse, be sure to take time to look at the photos and playbills that line the walls of the two-story theatre to see the “who’s who” of actors who have appeared throughout the years.

Westport Country Playhouse
Streicker Performing Arts Stage
25 Powers Court
Westport, Connecticut 06880
United States
Box Office: +1—203-227-4177
Toll-Free: 1-888-927-7529
Website: www.WestportPlayhouse.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WestportCountryPlayhouse
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wcplayhouse @wcplayhouse

Follow Luxury Experience on YouTube: @edwardnesta9910

Follow Luxury Experience on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LuxuryExperience

Follow Luxury Experience on Instagram: www.Instagram.com/luxurypair  @luxurypair

© April 2026. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com All rights reserved.