Bank on “Primary Trust” for Laughs

and Gratitude for a Caring Community>

> by Pat Lindsey

   > One of the most wonderful things about The Rep in Webster Groves is its intimacy and ability to pull the audience into the lives of the characters who perform there. Its current production, “Primary Trust,” seems to be written for the repertory stage. Audiences will feel close to a lonely man named Kenneth, who desperately needs love from his small community of Cranberry, New York. It’s a 90- minute experience of love, laughter, empathy, and theatrical excellence.

> > “Primary Trust,” written by Eboni Booth, won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. When you enter the theater, the first thing that will catch your eye is the unusual set (designed by Sotirios Livaditis) where the buildings and lamp posts are suspended upside down from the ceiling. The play opens with Kenneth introducing himself and narrating a brief synopsis of his life in Cranberry. Then we meet Bert, Kenneth’s best friend. Bert and Kenneth go to their favorite place, Wally’s Tiki Bar, every evening for dinner and Mai Tais, but Kenneth is the only one drinking. That’s because Bert is his imaginary friend who provides companionship and social coaching for Kenneth.

>     The entire cast consists of four actors and musician Jermaine Manor. Kierra Bunch is the only female cast member, but her multiple roles are both male and female. As Corinna, she befriends Kenneth while waiting on him at Wally’s. It’s fascinating to witness Bunch seamlessly slip in and out of several character roles. Alan Knoll also plays multiple roles. He is Sam, Kenneth’s cigarette-smoking boss at the book store and later becomes his boss, Clay, at the Primary Trust Bank. As the banker, Clay can’t help from regularly reliving his glory days as a college football quarterback. He tolerates Kenneth’s quirkiness because he sees him as a go-getter. His third role as Le Pousselet the French bartender highlights his versatility as an actor.

>  The brilliant star of the show, Kenneth, is superbly played by Gregory Fenner, a graduate of North County’ s Trinity Catholic High School and SIU-Edwardsville. Kenneth’s daily routine consists of working at Sam’s book store every day and then going to Wally’s at night. Occasionally, he interacts with the wait staff at Wally’s, but his conversations are minimal. He only becomes animated with Bert. The patient and kind Bert is well played by Ronald L. Conner. When Kenneth’s mental illness becomes obvious, Bert’s patience is put to the test. That’s when he counts to ten to calm Kenneth down during panic attacks and anger outbursts.

>  Bert was created in Kenneth’s mind due to the trauma he experienced when he was only ten years old. Kenneth desperately needed a friend for self-preservation and Bert came to his rescue. With Bert by his side, Kenneth was able to survive his small routine life, but he wasn’t thriving. “Primary Trust” reminds us that everyone needs contact with other people to thrive. Sometimes we have to take a risk to find friendship. Kenneth didn’t know how to trust the kindness of people.

> “Primary Trust” is beautifully directed by Tyrone Phillips. It plays to our emotions with humor and empathy for Kenneth. Trust me when I say you’ll leave the theater uplifted, hopeful, and thankful for all the friends and loved ones you have in your life. I hope Kenneth can feel that way, too.

> > “Primary Trust” is being presented at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis now through March 1. You can call the box office at 314-968-4925 Mon.-Fri., noon until 5 p.m. or go there in person Wed.-Fri. noon until 5 p.m. to reserve your seat. Tickets are also available at repstl.org.

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   The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents “Primary Trust”, Feb.4 – March 1, 2026

Pictured L to R: Gregory Fenner, Ronald L. Conner, Kierra Bunch

Photo by JON GITCHOFF

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