PHOTO: Mark Taper Forum | The South Pasadenan | Primary Trust Comes to the Mark Taper Forum
Center Theatre Group will present the 2024 Pulitzer Prize-winning play Primary Trust by Eboni Booth at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles from May 20 to June 28, 2026. This heartfelt drama explores new beginnings and the power of community, offering a touching theatrical experience just a short drive from South Pasadena.
About the Play
Primary Trust tells the story of Kenneth, a 38-year-old bookstore worker who spends his evenings at the local tiki bar with his best friend, Bert. When unexpected layoffs disrupt his long-standing routine, Kenneth is forced to face challenges he has actively avoided.
The result is an elegantly crafted story of a man finding a new job, new friends, and a renewed sense of worth.
Playwright Eboni Booth describes the work as a reflection on human connection. “I think I’m drawn to stories of loneliness and people who are trying to do battle, however quietly, with the feeling of being isolated,” she shared.
Cast and Creative Team
The ensemble is directed by Knud Adams, who also staged the play’s celebrated New York world premiere. The cast features Petey McGee as Kenneth, alongside Ugo Chukwu, Rebecca S’manga Frank, James Urbaniak, and Luke Wygodny.
Center Theatre Group Artistic Director Snehal Desai praised the production, stating, “Knud has put together a luminous and fiercely talented ensemble to bring the rich characters that inhabit Eboni’s play to life.”
Schedule and Showtimes
Performances run from Wednesday, May 20 through Sunday, June 28, 2026. The official press opening is slated for May 27.
Tuesdays – Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Tickets for Primary Trust start at $40.25 and are available now. South Pasadena theatregoers can purchase tickets online, over the phone, or in person at the box office.
Venue: Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone Box Office: (213) 628-2772
Website: CenterTheatreGroup.org
For group sales or information on accessibility accommodations including mobility, vision, and hearing access, please visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/Access.