Greg Stuhr, Lance Coadie Williams, and Alphonso Walker Jr. Photo by Carol Rosegg

Director Logan Vaughn has done a wonderful job with this production, with nuance and moments of heartache throughout the ninety minute (without an intermission) running time. Vaughn works expertly with all four actors, but Primary Trust is really centered on Kenneth; Walker is so good in the part you almost want to take him home.

Greg Stuhr, Lance Coadie Williams, and Jasminn Johnson portray the supporting characters in the play, with Stuhr and Johnson skillfully taking on several roles. When Primary Trust begins, Kenneth talks about his favorite bar and how he always has several Mai Tais with his friend Bert (the ebullient Lance Coadie Williams). In the opening scene, there is a great conversation between and Kenneth and Bert at the bar that displays how much they truly enjoy each other's friendship. There is something highly unusual about this friendship, though (not to be revealed here), and this is the tipping off point in showing just how troubled Kenneth is under the surface.

Kenneth initially works at a bookstore, but, when the owner decides to close the store, Kenneth is faced with a career change and becomes a teller at the Primary Trust Bank. Helping him along are Stuhr, as the boss at the bank, and Johnson, as Kenneth's favorite waitress and friend, Corrina. Johnson is especially brilliantéyou might be convinced that there are multiple actresses playing all of her parts. Williams does full justice to the role of Bert and is warm and jovial throughout. It is immediatly clear that his presence is Kenneth's lifeline in navigating life.

Alphonso Walker Jr. is enormously touching as Kenneth. He has a welcoming quality about him and immediately wins the audience over, personifying every part of the character; it is difficult to differentiate where Kenneth begins and Walker ends. This play really rises or falls at the expertise of the leading actor and it is gratifying news that Walker Jr. fills the bill ideally.

The design elements are also superlative; Jack Magaw's fine set design is very adaptable with the use of a turntable for the various scenes. The lighting design by Jonah Bobilin is almost hypnotic and the costume design by Ari Fulton is quite good, helping to delineate each character.

When Walker takes the stage for the final scene, talking directly to the audience, it is not so different from the opening moments, but everything about Kenneth has changed, just by how much the audience has learned about him throughout the show. Primary Trust is not always a feel-good show, but it doesn't try to be. Instead, it is a deeply honest and sensitive play. Westport Country Playhouse's production is most highly recommended.

Primary Trust runs through May 2, 2026, at Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers CT., Westport CT. For tickets and information, please call 203-227-4177 or visit westportplayhouse.org.