Quote of the Day: Welcome Friend, you’re right on time! Eboni Booth, from her play Primary Trust that takes place in the fictional town of Cranberry, NY. This is their town’s motto.

Second Quote of the Day: The more healthy relationships a child has, the more likely [they] will be to recover from trauma and thrive. Relationships are the agents of change, and the most powerful therapy is human love. Dr. Bruce D. Perry in The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog

Bryce Michael Wood as Kenneth in Primary Trust at the Guthrie Theater, thru 11/16/25. Photo: Dan Norman

Primary Trust is a gentle play about the power of friendship – of being that person who reaches out, and also the one willing to accept that gift. It’s a play where you worry that something bad is going to happen, then realize that everyone is overcoming some trial, and what they need is to make a connection. Bryce Michael Wood does a beautiful job of bringing the complex emotions of our main character Kenneth to life. He suffers from social anxiety due to childhood trauma. 

William Sturdivant as Bert and Bryce Michael Wood as Kenneth in Primary Trust at the Guthrie Theater, thru 11/16/25. Photo: Dan Norman

Set in a small fictional town of Cranberry, NY, Kenneth finds comfort in his routine. He’s a regular at Wally’s Tiki Bar where he orders the same thing during happy hour every day. He works in a neighborhood bookstore called Yellowed Pages, but when the store owner decides to retire, his world is turned upside down. Kenneth’s sole companion is an imaginary friend named Bert (delightfully played by William Sturdivant). He certainly seems real to both Kenneth and us! 

William Sturdivant as Bert, Pearce Bunting as Sam, and Bryce Michael Wood as Kenneth in Primary Trust at the Guthrie Theater, thru 11/16/25. Photo: Dan Norman

Pearce Bunting plays the bookstore owner Sam, Clay the banker, and the Le Pousselet bartender. He always does an amazing job of making his characters distinct. In the character of the banker, at certain times, you expect one thing from him, but get another. His humanity comes out at important moments. This play has a few surprises. 

William Sturdivant as Bert, Pearce Bunting as Sam, and Bryce Michael Wood as Kenneth in Primary Trust at the Guthrie Theater, thru 11/16/25. Photo: Dan Norman

Nubia Monks also plays several characters, including all the wait staff at Wally’s, various bank costumers, and Corrina, a woman who befriends Kenneth. We see him grow through the small risks he takes. It’s both a letting go and an opening up.

Nubia Monks as Corrina and Bryce Michael Wood as Kenneth in Primary Trust at the Guthrie Theater, thru 11/16/25. Photo: Dan Norman

Marshall Jones III directs this tender play that pulls you into the emotions in a gentle way. Sara Ryung Clement designed the set that includes pivotal places in Cranberry, tiki bar decorations at Wally’s, desk and customer counter at the bank, and a few other set pieces that move in and out for other scene locations giving the whole set a small town vibe. An-Lin Dauber designed the costumes that fit with styles of the 1990’s. Lots of colorful sweaters! Lighting design by Jason Lynch, and sound design/composer is Lindsay Jones. 

You can see the Pulitzer Prize winning play Primary Trust by Eboni Booth at the Guthrie Theater through Nov. 16, 2025. Treat yourself to a lovely night at the theater, and be sure to bring a friend.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: Describe your best friend. How did you meet? How long have you been friends? What are some important milestones or moments in life that you’ve shared?